Government promises to reform the public school system.

And they supported the National PTA's plan to march on Parliament next week.

The Royal Gazette took to the streets of Hamilton to get the views of parents about proposed changes to the public school system.

Of some 20 people polled, more than half said they did not believe the school system would be completely restructured by 2002 -- as planned.

Mrs. Melody Lightbourne said she believed Bermuda would have a reformed public school system if the Progressive Labour Party was the ruling party.

A mother of a primary student in the public system, Mrs. Lightbourne said she has considered sending her daughter to private school.

"I think I am one of many who have said this,'' she said, "not to say that we can afford it.'' Mrs. Lightbourne said many parents believe their children are being used as guinea pigs.

Mrs. Lightbourne said while she believed in the National PTA's "cause'', she thought the march will have no effect on Government decisions.

Mrs. Westmore Stoneham Jr. said she also did not believe that Bermuda would have a new education system by the 21st Century.

"They keep dragging their feet and delaying plans,'' she said.

"I have considered private schools.'' She added that she was in support of the National PTA's march.

Mrs. Barbara Smith said she also has given "strong thought'' to private school, even though she cannot not really afford it.

She said she did not believe the Education Ministry would have reforms fully implemented by 2002 because they had broken earlier promises.

She said she will be marching with the National PTA on Monday.

Mrs. Cecily Smith , who has a daughter in high school, said she was also not confident that the school system will be revamped by the scheduled date.

"I am confused to the point that I don't want to hear anything about education changes,'' she said, adding that the system has regressed in some areas to the way it was 40 years ago.

Ms Nikeisha Gibbons , who is the mother of a newborn, said she did not believe her child would see a new school system by 2002.

Ms Gibbons also said she could not see the rationale behind proposed cuts to areas such as teaching and textbooks.

"If you have a shortage of teachers or books how are they (teachers) going to deal with students' increasing problems.'' Mrs. Judyann Bean , who has two children in public high schools and two at pre-school, said she is hoping that the system will be completely restructured by 2002.

She said she will keep her children in the system because she has no other choice.

But Mrs. Bean said she does not want to see any cuts in education and she supported the National PTA's planned protest action.

Mr. Corrado Odoli , who has children in primary school, said he would like to see the system reformed before the scheduled date.

In support of the National PTA's march, Mr. Odoli said: "I've always been opposed to cuts in education''.

Mr. Goodwin Lambert , who has a granddaughter in Primary Two, said delays in education have made him doubt whether she will benefit from the reforms.

Also against education cuts, Mr. Lambert said he was supportive of the National PTA's march.

But one parent, Mr. Vince Dill , had nothing but praise for Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons and his handling of proposed changes.

"I think Gerald Simons is doing a great job,'' the father of teenage daughters said.

"I would like to think the changes will be implemented by the year 2002. I think it is a good thing.'' Mrs. Westmore Stoneham Mr. Goodwin Lambert Mrs. Judyann Bean Mr. Vince Dill Mrs. Melody Lightbourne Mr. Corrado Odoli.