The United Bermuda Party believes longer school days and an independent school inspector could help the flagging education system.

Speaking at a United Bermuda Party public meeting on education Dr. Grant Gibbons recommended that Bermuda look to charter schools in the US as an example.

According to the US Charter School Organisation charter schools are "innovative public schools providing choices for families and greater accountability for results". The website states the aim of a charter school is "a radical educational innovation that is moving states beyond reforming existing schools to creating something entirely new".

Typically they can be found in lower-income areas, Dr. GIbbons said, and often have longer school days to ensure students can pursue a variety of classes.

He added: "We have to properly look at lengthening the school day. This would allow for sports, more extra curricular activities, remedial study and homework supervision. It would also help what many societies call 'latch key kids' (children who are home alone after school until their parents return from work).

"Many charter schools in the US have much longer school days than other school because they are addressing this."

Dr. Gibbons also recommended that an independent body be set up to decide if schools met standards — instead of leaving the decision to the Ministry of Education. The UK and New Zealand have independent professionals inspect their schools.

And he said that teachers should be paid more to compete against other industries on the Island which offer higher salaries. The education system would also benefit from more time being allotted to teacher training. Dr. Gibbons pointed to Singapore which requires teachers to go through 100 hours of training a year and has 'master teachers' who help others.

Dr. Gibbons also recommended streamlining current technical training and increasing technical education in middle and high schools. The UBP would also move to publish school results.

The second UBP education meeting will be held at St. Mary's Church in Warwick on Thursday from 7 – 9 p.m.