have left some parents fuming because they will be held during school hours.

The workshop -- to be held next Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday -- will involve all staff and therefore will force classes to be suspended for that period, Senior Education Officer for Curriculum Dr. Joseph Christopher said.

But an angry parent, who did not wish to be identified, told The Royal Gazette she and other parents were concerned about the children missing four days of school.

"The children are going to be idle,'' she said. "We're worried about the fact that the Department of Education has sanctioned this move.

"I'm doubly concerned that they would close the school at a time when we've just gotten the children settled. I don't see why it can't be done in the summer.'' The parent also noted that the school was closed two days early at Christmas for workshops.

While she said she felt some workshops were needed, she added: "The children need more reading, writing and arithmetic. I'm not sure all these workshops are working out.'' Northlands PTA president Ms Lynette Waldron agreed.

She said the workshop was discussed at a special meeting on Monday night.

"I heard a few grumbles about it that night,'' she said. "But parents have to learn to speak up more. They should go to the principal and express their feelings or go to the Department of Education.'' Ms Waldron said the PTA executive planned to meet last night and she planned to bring it up.

When contacted yesterday, Northlands principal Mrs. Carol Bassett refused to comment on the situation.

But Dr. Christopher said: "The principal informed us that the PTA were informed of this workshop in May of this year''.

He said a letter was also sent out to parents on Monday. And at a parents meeting on Tuesday night he said he understood that everyone who was present was in support of the workshops.

The workshops will be a team-building exercise with staff from all levels of the school, Dr. Christopher explained.

"It is involving staff from all levels in decision making,'' he said, adding that the purpose of the workshop was to develop team spirit and a better working environment at the school.

He explained that the workshop was being held next week because it was the only time that the foreign consultants, which the Education Department will be bringing in for the workshops, were available.

POINTER TO THE FUTURE -- Surveying the plans for a playground at Loyal Hill are (from left), Mr. Graham Benjamin, Mr. Dennis Pamplin, Mr. Douglas Fetigan, Mr. Keith Simmons, Mr. George Masters, Mrs. Helena Brice, and Mr. Michael Smith.