"jeopardise'' children's education while changing the school system.

Mr. Simons was responding to concerns of some 1,000 parents who marched on Parliament this week and 5,000 who signed a petition opposing education cuts.

Parents joined by children and teachers surrounded Parliament on Monday evening, demanding to see Mr. Simons.

But it was Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan who came out to try to quell the concerns of the determined crowd, leading to heckling and some calling Mr.

Simons "chicken''.

Mr. Simons, however, said his Ministry had contacted National PTA president Mrs. Marian Askia before the debate and informed her that he and his senior staff would be in the House of Assembly for the education budget debate.

He said they apologised and Mrs. Askia understood.

Mr. Simons added that the education debate was "the most important debate''.

And, he said, the Premier as the head of the Government had already agreed to receive the petition.

Revealing he saw the petition for the first time yesterday morning, Mr. Simons said: "We will certainly take their points made seriously''.

He pointed out that Government had already responded to parents concerns about cuts in school textbooks, basic supplies, and summer school programmes.

But the Minister failed to address other concerns on the petition which included opposition to cuts: Of 25 teaching jobs; Teachers' pay for supervising extra-curricular activities; and In grants for special purchases such as prizes and trophies at maintained schools.

"We the undersigned are against any reduction in finances, manpower and/or programmes within the public education system,'' the petition stated.

"We request all Members of Parliament to vote against the proposed reductions when they are presented in Parliament or caucuses.'' Mr. Simons stressed he also had children in the public system and would "do nothing to jeopardise his children or any others' education''.

"It is my intention to monitor what is happening in education in the coming months very carefully to ensure that the quality of education is not reduced,'' he said.

"Whilst efficiencies have to be made, education will not be sacrificed.'' Mr. Simons also noted that changes in education were not unique to Bermuda.

"I would like to regard our current difficulties as short-term,'' he added.

Those who have expressed concern about not seeing restructuring carried out should consider the Bermuda College project which was a dream for some time, Mr. Simons said, but was now making significant progress.