The Ministry of Education is seeking public opinion on its recently released five-year plan for public schools.

At a press conference yesterday Education Minister El James said a series of public meetings are to be held next month.

The plan, entitled 'The Blueprint for Reform in Education', was released on April 2. It puts seven recommendations from the 2007 Hopkins Report into play.

The meetings will be held at Whitney Institute, CedarBridge Academy and T.N. Tatem Middle School, and last 90 minutes each.

They will start at 6 p.m.

"Education is one area that affects all of us," Mr. James said. "It's vitally important that we hear your views. In the meantime, I encourage each of you in the community to hear the plan.

"This blueprint reflects how we envision public education improving over the next five years. It was developed following extensive research, consultation and discussion within the Ministry, the department and, most importantly, with education stakeholders.

"We will meet face to face with various groups over the next few weeks."

He continued: "Once all consultation is complete, we will review the blueprint, make any appropriate changes and then dedicate ourselves to implementing the plan and ensuring that public education in Bermuda becomes something our community can be proud of."

Education Commissioner Wendy McDonell said the Ministry is specifically looking for parental input.

"Having been a parent myself, one of the things I really want to know is [whether] my child [is] really going to learn. I think parents will want to know about the quality of teaching in the classroom. [We] also [want to ensure] that they work with the teachers and be present to ensure that they have a robust education."

She continued: "Having completed the blueprint, it's a plan but it's not the action. At the same time, we are developing actions, at the same time [we are having] a conversation with the public."

Mr. James added: "That is why we have a five-year plan. Even if we change ministers, the road map is easy to follow. Once the public has their input, it's just a matter of following through with this plan."

Myron Piper of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance said earlier this month that the plan was nothing more than a "regurgitation" of the Hopkins Report.

Asked to comment on those claims, Education Board chairman Darren Johnston said: "Well, first of all the first thing I would say is to take each document and line them up side by side. There are consistencies and that is a good thing. What you will find with the blueprint is for me, how we are going to do this thing.

"It embraces the three major concepts. We're focused on improving student outcomes. We're putting children first."

l The dates and venues for the meetings are: (East) Whitney School on Monday, May 3; (Central) at CedarBridge Academy on Tuesday, May 4; (West) at TN Tatem Middle School on Thursday, May 6. All meetings will begin at 6 p.m.