A blend of technical and academic education is likely to be implemented in Bermuda's public schools.

Minister for Education Randy Horton described the method as helpful to advanced and struggling students alike.

He and a delegation of experts travelled to Rhode Island earlier this month to tour schools with different approaches to blending academic and technical learning.

The Minister was impressed by what he saw, praising the way the schools blend skills which enhance employment prospects with strong private sector partnerships.

"It is my view, and the overall view of the delegation, that this trip provided the most powerful image of clarity of purpose in all the schools we visited.

"The recurrent theme of each of the schools was learning through direct application of concepts studied in the regular classroom setting.

"This resonates with me because this approach is supported by research as a powerful way to promote conceptual understanding in a wide variety of students," he said.

"By creating a version of the learn-by-doing model in Bermuda, we will increase the chances for success of all students.

"In fact, if this approach to learning is skilfully applied in all classrooms, more of our students will succeed academically regardless of past school experiences. This method can prove helpful for both advanced and struggling students alike."

Although the plans for something similar in Bermuda are yet to be discussed with those steering reforms to the failing public school system, Mr. Horton said for his part: "I would say I believe we will certainly see that in place."

Calls for a greater focus on technical education have been repeatedly made since the technical school closed in 1972.

Mr. Horton said: "Prior to us undertaking this trip, there was a widely held belief within the Ministry that in order for technical education to succeed, it had to exist in complete isolation.

"Our visit pointed out that a blend of regular academics with technical/vocational education could provide our education system in Bermuda with a workable solution that should prove to serve our students well."

Senator Charlie Swan, United Bermuda Party Shadow Minister with responsibility for technical education, called for more information.

"I, along with my United Bermuda Party colleague Dr. Grant Gibbons, have been calling for an integrated approach to technical education in Bermuda's school system for some time, and so we are pleased to hear that the Education Ministry is exploring the matter," he said.

"While we appreciate the Education Minister's statement on the subject... he was not clear about what kind of technical education programme he envisions for Bermuda.

"Indeed, his statement raised more questions than it provided answers.

"The Minister, for example, did not state whether the Ministry is now dropping its long-held view that technical education should exist in 'complete isolation' from academic education, although he raised it as an issue."

Sen. Swan also called for more information on the success of the programmes explored in Rhode Island and of the timetable for reform in Bermuda — which he described as long overdue.