Government's plan to offer technical education in public schools as part of the basic curriculum has raised questions by the United Bermuda Party (UBP).

While supportive of the blend of academic and technical learning, the Opposition said it is concerned by the lack of information on how the scheme will move forward, and by the absence of communication regarding education reform on the island overall.

"While we appreciate (Education Minister Randy Horton's) statement on the subject . . . he was not clear about what kind of technical education programme he envisions for Bermuda," said Senator Charlie Swan, Shadow Minister with responsibility for technical education.

"Indeed, his statement raised more questions than it provided answers. What is the model being proposed for Bermuda? Will the Minister now move ahead on the blending of technical education with regular academics?"

The Education Minister announced the plan to blend technical and academic education at a press conference last week as something that would be helpful to the varied aptitudes of students in the public system.

Mr. Horton said that belief was underscored following a visit to Rhode Island earlier this month, where he and a group of experts toured schools which used different approaches in their mix of academic and technical learning.

"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," the Minister stated. "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."

Sen. Swan said the UBP was "pleased to hear that the Education Ministry is exploring" an idea his party has mooted "for some time". But he questioned whether it was an empty promise in light of a raft of educational schemes yet to move forward.

"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 that as an issue.

"And so we have to ask whether that is the conclusion of the Minister's examination of the Expeditionary Learning system in Rhode Island and Maine schools. What is the model being proposed for Bermuda? Will the Minister now move ahead on the blending of technical education with regular academics?"

Concrete information on how successful the schools had been in meeting the needs of students and employers was needed, as are details on the next steps involved in the review process and the timetable for implementation, Sen. Swan added.

"We raise this as a concern because there has been a disturbing lack of communication on the status of education reform in Bermuda," he said. "There has been a lot of study and many recommendation have been put forward, but nothing substantial to indicate where, when or which reforms are being instituted.

"While we are pleased to see official movement on this vital issue, we have to express our continuing concern over the gap between promise and performance with this Government.

"We understand this is the second trip by ministry officials to see these schools, the last trip taking place some seven months ago, and that there were contacts with the schools well before the first visit. This extended study along with the Arnold Report (ongoing since 2005), the Public Education Subcommittee (December 2006) and the Hopkins Report (2007) indicates much movement but little result.

"The time for a technical education reform plan is long overdue. Bermudians are looking for results that can help improve the prospects for their children."