Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith criticised claims by Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier that Government had failed to act urgently on education reform, in a statement to the House of Assembly on Friday.Mr Cannonier’s criticism that the 2007 education review recommendations was only brought to the House at the start of this year ignored the facts “to score cheap political points,” Dame Jennifer said.But Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons dismissed Dame Jennifer’s “personal attack” as “blatant electioneering” in a statement yesterday evening.Dame Jennifer cited amendments to the Education Act passed just a year after the review to support her argument.“We’ve all heard the saying: ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’. Legislation was passed in this House before that Honourable Member was elected and he has a responsibility to know about it,” Dame Jennifer said.“I wasn’t alive during slavery — but I know that it happened. I know that my ancestors were sold at auction, transported on slave ships and hunted down if they tried to escape.”The amended act created the post of Commissioner of Education, expanded the Board of Education and provided for “accountability in the education system and for curriculum and performance standards that are benchmarked against international standards,” she said.“In addition, the amendment extended the school age from 16 years to 18 years.”Last night Dr Gibbons responded with a statement of his own.“I believe we can dismiss this personal attack on our OBA Leader, Craig Cannonier, as blatant electioneering.“Unfortunately as we get closer to the election it’s going to get worse, and I suspect the public is likely to see more of this ‘shoot the messenger’ approach from the Government,” he said.“If the 2007 election is anything to go by, the PLP’s political consultants have probably advised them that the best defence for their poor record is a good offence, and urged them to attack the OBA Leader to try and smear his credibility.”Dr Gibbons added: “I can understand why Education Minister Smith is particularly sensitive about her Government’s record on education.“After all, she first ran on an education platform but didn’t last long as the PLP’s first Education Minister once she got into office. She quickly passed the portfolio on to Milton Scott. After nearly 14 years, some nine ministers, and a lot of promises, there is very little to show for it.”His statement acknowledges “some progress, such as the Cambridge Curriculum.”“But everyone recognises that education reform as proposed by Professor Hopkins and Professor Mincy has been painfully slow and has yet to be implemented. The PLP government has let the country down badly on education.“I can understand why just before an election the Minister and the Government will try hard to present a different picture, but I don’t think the public will be fooled by photo ops and attacks on the Opposition Leader. After all, this is not what Professors Hopkins and Mincy, and many others within the system, envisaged as the solution to our children’s and Bermuda’s future.”