educators and Government's opposition.

The study, which will see principals, the Education Ministry, college representatives and parents looking at systems in use overseas, was long overdue, they said.

The Royal Gazette revealed on Tuesday that Education Minister Senator Milton Scott had ordered the review to see if the Island's teenagers were being best served by the present Bermuda Schools Certificate (BSC).

He said he was aware of the importance and reputation of the Bermuda graduation exam and said he was eager to ensure that the certificates issued in Bermuda made clear the competencies of the students.

The committee is observing the UK, US, Canada, Caribbean and other small Islands to see if the programme in Bermuda can be improved, or just better accredited by universities.

However, despite welcoming the review, some said Government should already know what is wrong with the present system and therefore should not need a committee to investigate.

Last night Wendy Augustus, President of the Bermuda Parent Teacher Association, said her group was represented on the committee and was pleased to see a pro-active step towards improvement.

She said: "Everything needs improvement, so I think all aspects of education have to be continuously reviewed.

"We do have a representative on that committee because we want to be aware of what is going on.

"This is just the very preliminary stages, so there is much work to be done.

However, we think it's an excellent idea.'' General Secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers and former teacher Michael Charles said the review was overdue.

He added: "I think the review is a good thing, but I don't really know if they need a committee to look into it. They should know by now that we need to raise the standards. That is the problem.

"It is a good thing to make the comparison and see which way we should be going, especially as we are in the process of going on to the BSC from the BSSC (Bermuda Secondary Schools Certificate).'' And Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith said the BSC may have been good at one time, but it was time for a change.

"It is important that we prepare Bermuda's students for success, whether they end up attending the Bermuda College or a college or university abroad,'' he said.

"Equally, we have to be sure that our standards are high enough to ensure they get jobs in a work environment, which is becoming increasingly competitive.

"Clearly, we would be serving them dutifully and honourably if we introduce them to exam standards that are internationally recognised.

"I am convinced that Bermuda's present certification is no longer appropriate. When it was established, it may very well have been suitable and desirable, but times have changed.'' But the United Bermuda Party MP said he was perplexed as to why a member of the business community had not been asked to sit on the committee.