loutish behaviour among pupils.

The principals hope to thrash out ways of combatting increasing misbehaviour.

It follows reports this week in The Royal Gazette about breakdowns in pupil discipline at two of the Island's schools.

And yesterday Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons disclosed he had himself received complaints of classroom abuse.

He blamed part of the problem on television and video nasties, saying children reflected society.

But he vowed Government was tackling the problem head-on -- and was launching a special programme in schools.

The "life-skills'' programmes were earmarked for 12 of the Island's primary schools.

They would teach pupils about "inter-personal'' skills, focusing on resolving disputes through discussion rather than violence.

Parents would also be able to take part, to learn about child rearing, explained Mr. Simons.

A special committee of between four and five school principals is meeting today to look into the problem of indiscipline.

The carefully selected committee represents all Government schools in Bermuda.

It will discuss the problems of misbehaviour, and produce an in-depth report.

Also getting round the table today are a larger group of school principals.

The group meets regularly to discuss school issues, although it is not known what its agenda today will be.

The meetings follow two recent reports of a serious breakdown in discipline.

Last week it was revealed the Island's chief education officer was investigating reports of misbehaviour at East End School.

Mr. Dean Furbert's probe was mounted after teachers reported spending most of their classroom time "baby sitting.'' And at Warwick Secondary School, a teenage boy was taken to hospital after being given a cocktail during a prank which went badly wrong.

Three pupils behind the mischievous trick were suspended for two days -- and their parents summoned to the school.

Yesterday Mr. Simons blamed part of the problems on the effect of television, and "inappropriate videos.'' "These are some of the factors that are coming to bear on the school environment.

"We are looking at discipline, and are not treating the issue lightly. We are developing a cooperative and collective approach to the question of discipline.'' But Mr. Simons was keen to put Bermuda's problems in perspective.

He suggested some of the reports of indiscipline among the Island's young may have been exaggerated.

Problems at the Washington Street bus terminal, for instance, had been overblown.

And Bermuda's school discipline problems paled into virtual insignificance when compared to some of the classroom horrors abroad, he said.

"It does not mean, however, we should be complacent,'' he added.