PLANS to introduce an internationally-recognised examination into the public school system are likely to be in place by September of this year.

The Department of Education yesterday admitted that representatives from both the Ministry, and the island's two senior schools - the Berkeley Institute and Cedarbridge Academy - are now exploring several UK boards with the idea of introducing one of the examinations into the system by the beginning of the next school year.

At present, the only schools which offer an internationally-recognised exam to their students are private ones.

"Both senior schools and the Ministry have been exploring a range of external certification from UK boards - AQA, Ed. Excel and CIE," said Dr. Julie Dunstan. "In the United States, there's no similar exam sat; one that's to be taken nationally that would be the rough equal of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and so we have been exploring these, and I anticipate that students will begin coursework in September of 2003 which will make them eligible for certification in 2005."

Although once a part of the public school curriculum, externally-written exams were removed a few years ago with the level of students' academic success or failure today based on their performance in the locally-written, Bermuda School Certificate (BSC).

While she was not with the Ministry when the decision was made to remove internationally-written exams such as the General Certificate of Education (GCE) from the public school curriculum, Dr. Dunstan said that she felt the decision had been made based on its perceived exclusive attributes.

"I believe that there was some concern for the philosophy of education at the time," she said. "The philosophy of the older exams, such as the GCE. The philosophy at the Ministry at that time, was education for all. They wanted to establish an inclusive system and it was felt that the old GCEs were exclusive in nature.

"However, the current GCSE and some of the external exams offered today are are less dependent on one single exam (as the GCE was). There is some coursework component involved and so they're considered less exclusive. So the two senior schools are looking at becoming exam centres for those boards to offer a wide range of choice to students. And certainly, the Ministry does encourage all teachers and schools to offer whatever is in the best interest of student learning."

Such a move, said Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith, would be welcomed by the Opposition. The United Bermuda Party, he said, feels strongly that all schools should have some form of international accreditation for students preparing to graduate. "We need an exam that is both meaningful and valued," he said. "Meaningful in the sense that a majority of our students at 15 and 16 can be tested in key academic areas and see how they compare against other 15 and 16-year-olds around the world. Valued such that the exam is easily recognisable regardless if a student goes on to the next stage of their education in North America, Europe, Asia, or wherever.

"Some of our private schools have adopted the international baccalaureate programmes because they recognise the value of the accreditation. We should phase out the Bermuda School Certificate (BSC) exam and re-introduce the GCSE or join a baccalaureate programme. Without some form of international accreditation, our students will find themselves even further adrift in a world that does not tolerate mediocrity and nor should it."

Despite the fact that the GCSE was not part of the required public school curriculum, Clearwater Middle School arts teacher Lisa Rego implemented a programme of study into her classrooms so that her students would be eligible for certification in the year 2005, and urged the Department of Education to avail that opportunity to students across the island.

And last October, the board of governors of the Berkeley Insititute said it would be incorporating a new set of core values - including the implementation of the GCSE and others, like the International Baccalaureate - to reflect the school's original mandate of excellence in education.

"I believe that the high-flying students need additional support as do learning support students," said Miss Rego at the time. "Therefore, I have created the advanced programme - GCSE art - based on an examination in London, England. It takes two years to undergo the coursework for that and my hope is for them to reach high passes in May 2005.

"I really pray that the Premier and (Berkeley Institute principal) Michelle Gabisi and (Cedarbridge principal) Kalmar Richards, implement GCSEs immediately as of September next year so that students like this are evaluated internationally. I really believe that we should stretch our high flyers. (At Clearview) they're already succeeding. They're doing as much as they can do. Every opportunity I've given, they're taking. So I just believe that the whole school now needs to go forward and get a standard of education which is understood in Canada, America, England - now that you can live in England - so I believe that's my passion as well and hopefully that will happen."

Principal of Saltus Grammar, Nigel Kermode yesterday agreed with Miss Rego's opinion, adding that international qualifications were especially essential to students in as isolated a location as Bermuda.

"I would endorse that view," he said. "It's important (to have international examinations) particularly in places such as Bermuda where we tend to be isolated. I know there are those who feel the GCSE is limiting, but it is an examination which is internationally-recognised and has international qualifications and gives both students and staff members a clear international focus. It (provides)an international benchmark which is essential in Bermuda where we have a tendency to become introspective."

The Berkeley Institute's Board of Governors chairman Calvin White, announced only last year that the school was looking to initiate changes because of widespread concern over the state of public education. The changes, he said at the time, were designed to enhance the credibility of the public education system, and to provide a standard of education comparable to any other public or private school and had been adopted to coincide with Berkeley's anticipated move to a new building across the street this September.

With that in mind, Mr. White said, the school would - among other things - support the implementation of the International GCSE and others, like the International Baccalaureate, and develop programmes that will give Berkeley students an internationally-recognised exit certificate.

When contacted for comment on the anticipated changes yesterday, Berkeley Instititute principal Michelle Gabisi refused to comment on the matter other than to say: "At this point, we are working on something and will certainly be in touch with the press later when plans are in place."

A call to Cedarbridge Academy principal, Kalmar Richards, was not returned.