best public education possible.

In a speech to Hamilton Lions, Sen. Smith said parents should pretend there were no private schools and aim to make the public system meet their ideal.

Whether the students were bound for jobs or for academic careers the system should cope, she said. Moral, physical, academic, social and cultural aspects of life should all be studied.

She stressed the importance of primary education, defining primary as "first in importance'' and "fundamental.'' Despite the impact of early education on children, they got less funding than secondary schools.

"Why don't we have teachers with doctorates and master's degrees teaching pre-school?'' she asked. Teachers should be given "the status and respect they deserve''.

Bermuda should think of the impact of teachers and curriculum on every kind of student, she said, and ensure that each child's needs were met properly.

Curriculum was just as important as teachers. A flexible course, emphasising both learning and understanding, would seem essential for the range of students in these schools, in order to include everybody.

What about special programmes for pupils with physical and learning disabilities? She also asked if gifted children should have a programme.

Without private schools specially designed for these children, public education would have to take responsibility.

Senator Smith asked how accountable schools should be. Should they report to the taxpayers? Should businesses allow parents one school day off each term so the parents could see their children in school? Senator Smith also mentioned individual attention as a priority.

She urged Bermuda to invest in its children now "in order to yield a 21st Century workforce capable of performing the jobs necessary in our society.''