A former education secretary in George Bush’s administration was unveiled today as the man Government hopes will transform Bermuda’s public schools.

Henry L. Johnson was named as the Island’s new consultant executive officer for education at a press conference at Cabinet.

Dr. Johnson will serve in the post for two years. He was previously assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education in the States, where he was charged with improving student attainment across the country.

The former principal and math and science teacher is tasked here with implementing recommendations from the damning Hopkins report, an independent study conducted earlier this year which concluded that the public education system was “on the brink of meltdown”.

He told reporters this afternoon that he had the experience and expertise for the job. “You are welcome to check my history,” he shot back, when asked why the Island should welcome his appointment considering the desultory state of public education in the US.

See The Royal Gazette tomorrow for a full report.