Shadow Education Minister Miss Jennifer Smith raised a concern that the Education Minister's plan to "decentralise'' the school system would impact on staffing levels.

In the House of Assembly Friday, she fired off a series of questions for the Hon. Clarence Terceira , who ultimately said it was too early to say if staff would be affected.

He said the general purpose of school boards was to give the community more authority in the running of schools, particularly in the area of finance and management.

Miss Smith asked, "Will the Minister then tell this House what financial saving, if any will be realised as a result of this departure from a centralised system to a localised system involving the creation of school boards?'' Dr. Terceira said it was "too early to determine that the establishment of school boards will result in a reduction in the staff of the Ministry and in corresponding financial savings.'' Miss Smith also wanted to know if the membership of the schools boards would be determined by an election process or appointment. She noted the Education Planning Team that recommended the boards has said that membership should be a mix of appointed and elected persons.

Dr. Terceira said initial indications were that boards would be set up according to the EPT's recommendation, but he would be holding further meetings on the subject with education officials and exploring other countries' board systems.

He added it was recommended the boards be made up of teachers, parents and others with business backgrounds.