The Bermuda Democratic Alliance believes the Ministry of Education's five-year strategic plan is nothing more than a "regurgitation" of the Hopkins Report.

Education spokesman for the Alliance, Myron Piper also echoed Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbon's calls for an independent education standards board.

The Ministry, along with the Board of Education, released the highly anticipated Blueprint for Reform in Education on Good Friday.

It puts seven recommendations from the 2007 Hopkins Report into play, one of which is an increased focus on the quality of teaching.

Mr. Piper said: "Upon reflection on Government's strategic plan it is evident that it is a mere regurgitation of the Hopkins Report reflecting the recommendations and problems identified by Professor Hopkins. We are three years past the release of the Hopkins Report with nothing more than a rewrite of these findings.

"It is obvious when reading the Blueprint for Reform and the mere fact that Government seeks input as to how to carry out achieving the goals set out in its strategic plan this is evidenced by the Minister's call."

Mr. Piper said in the plan, Education Minister El James claims his Ministry has made progress and is currently "addressing the challenges of our education system".

"Yet while the report is full of detailed priorities it is lean on tangible actions," he continued. "While I welcome the opportunity for the involvement of all stakeholders, we have been doing that for the last three years.

"The executive summary of the report states that leadership at the school and department levels will focus on student outcomes. It further asserts that principals will be given autonomy and support while being held accountable for student growth.

"However, the Ministry fails to lead by example. Whilst, espousing to implementing the recommendations of the Hopkins report, consistently ignores the call for radical reform at the Ministry level. What consequences should we expect to see at the Ministry and board levels should they fail to deliver?"

The idea of an independent education standards board was a good one, Mr. Piper said.

"This leads me to support Dr. Gibbons' suggestion of setting up or having an independent board such as the joint select committee on education to independently track progress in education reform and student improvement.

"It will be absolutely essential for board members to be picked on merit to ensure the focus is placed on student outcome. The Blueprint for Reform as it stands is riddled with examples of Government's lack of accountability."

Mr. Piper questioned why only one percent of the budget was being spent on professional development and training if improving the quality of teaching and leadership is a big priority.

And he said of Education Board chairman Darren Johnston's call for the community to contribute to the plan: "It is difficult to offer help and contribute without maintaining the spirit of inclusiveness experienced during that time amid a climate of surreptitious and secretive behaviours by the senior level of the Ministry of Education. It is imperative that if the Ministry truly welcomes the much-needed support of all stakeholders and the wider community that it takes a broader collaborative approach with the same spirit as the chairman has alluded to.

"In the interest of assisting the Minister and the chairman's call for support, we the Bermuda Democratic Alliance will present our thoughts and recommendations to offer tangible solutions to Government in hopes of serving the needs of our children and making them the priority."