system completely reformed.

This was the view of National PTA president Mrs. Marian Askia yesterday after learning that Government's restructuring plans will not be fully implemented until 2002.

Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons announced the delay was caused by the realisation that previous plans -- to turn existing schools into four-year middle schools and build a new middle school and senior secondary school by 1995 -- would have meant closing some schools for up to two years.

But Mrs. Askia, who learned about the new plans through the media, said she found it "hard to believe that it would take nine more years for the education system to be adequate''.

"The National PTA have been saying, facetiously, all along that it will be well into the next century before we see reforms,'' she said. "Unfortunately, they have proven us right.'' Mrs. Askia said her biggest fear was that the Education Ministry would not be able to adequately provide two education systems at the same time.

She also questioned why the National PTA, of which Dellwood and Northlands are active members, were not briefed by Mr. Simons -- as other groups were -- prior to his announcement.

Chairman of Berkeley's Board of Governors, Mr. Terry Lister, also expressed disgust with the announcement.

Mr. Lister said the school board was "appalled by the position taken by the Government''.

"The Government has consistently asserted its commitment to ensure equal educational opportunities for all Bermuda's children,'' said Mr. Lister, who is also the Progressive Labour Party campaign party chairman.

"However, their continual delay in implementing proposed changes raises serious questions concerning their credibility.'' He noted a $20,000-Government survey last year showed people wanted education reforms in place as soon as possible and were willing to pay more taxes to pay for them.

He said, last year Parliament approved $14 million to be used for upgrading secondary schools.

"Yet, in this year's Budget we see that, after not proceeding in summer 1992, Government has no plans to create equal schools in the summer of 1993.'' "The Berkeley Institute Board of Governors continue to be astounded that even following the Tumim report, this Government can proceed quickly with the construction of a prison to lock up our young men but cannot make the commitment to educate our young men. There is a clear message being sent out.'' Chairman of Warwick Academy's Board of Governors Dr. John Patton said the new education plans will not affect the academic high school's plans to go private by September, 1995.

Head of the Association of School Principals, Mr. Melvyn Bassett, said while the body had not yet met to discuss the new reform plans, it was "not excited'' about them.

Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers organiser Mr. Milton Scott said he had not had the opportunity to study the new plan because the union was preparing for its AGM.

But he said the union was concerned about "the continual delays''.

But vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at the Bermuda College, Mrs. Solange Saltus said she did not believe the new plan, which no longer requires the college's old technical building, posed a threat to the completion of the Stonington campus.

"I know the Minister has always emphasised his desire to see the project completed,'' she said, adding that she could not comment further on the new plans before reading them carefully.

Shadow Education Minister Miss Jennifer Smith said she would comment today.