Sandys Secondary Middle School is leading the way in tackling the literacy problem in Bermuda.

It is to become one of 19 international centres for the Study of Learning and Teaching Styles.

And plans are in the pipeline to link the Centre to the Bermuda College.

Principal Melvyn Bassett yesterday explained that the school has been "operating informally'' as a centre for the past five to six years, but will formalise that function at an opening slated for tomorrow.

"We at Sandys began to embrace this programme five to six years ago,'' he said. "We have shared it with teachers across the Island and two of our own staff are certified.'' The programme works on the premise that students differ in the way they learn and it stresses the importance of teaching them through the vehicle which is best suited to each of them.

"This is a concept which pays more than lip service to meeting students' needs as they are taught through their learning style strengths,'' Mr. Bassett said.

Preliminary studies have shown an improvement in students.

"We have been engaged in some classroom research and we are seeing very encouraging results,'' he said. "Those taught by the method are doing better and we have distinctly seen students gaining confidence.'' "There are three major components to the Centre,'' Mr. Bassett explained.

"Firstly the training of teachers, conducting research, and then thirdly, encouraging teachers to write professionally.'' Talks to merge the Sandys Centre for the Study of Learning with the Bermuda College's Education Resource Centre are underway.

Director of the Bermuda College programme, Gina Tucker said she was optimistic this will take place down the road.

"We are hoping our centre will eventually be here at the College,'' Dr.

Tucker said.

Meanwhile, Friday's opening at Sandys Secondary Middle School will see 15 representatives from centres for Learning and Teaching Styles in attendance.

The visitors, mostly from the US, will be on the Island attending their annual conference.