Schools reform leader Philip Butterfield yesterday expressed his regret over his controversial remarks about Bermuda Union of Teachers boss Mike Charles.

Mr. Butterfield said he believes Mr. Charles and union president Keisha Douglas are committed education professionals who have as much concern over education as he does.

It comes a week after he publicly denounced Mr. Charles as a gym teacher who has had his 15 minutes of fame, and said he didn't "give a damn" that the unions are aggrieved over the way reform is taking place.

Interim education board chairman and Bank of Bermuda CEO Mr. Butterfield said in a statement yesterday evening: "It has been a distinct honour and pleasure for me to serve as chair of the interim board of education as it was for me to serve previously as the chair of the board of education.

"I believe that the education of our children is the bedrock of Bermuda's present and future. Right now, that bedrock is in a precipitous position — and all of us must share blame and responsibility.

"As I shoulder my part of that responsibility, I regret words I uttered in frustration several days ago with regard to Mr. Mike Charles, head of the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

"What is not known publicly is that several times in the past, I have attempted to meet with both Mr. Charles and the union president of the day.

"I believe that both Mr. Charles and the current union president are committed education professionals who are as concerned about education in Bermuda as I am.

"I respect their commitment and their hard work, as I respect the work of all teachers — like my wife and two daughters, all of whom have worked in that noble profession.

"I sincerely believe that we can all work together toward realisation of the bright promise of Bermuda's youth."

Contacted for a response last night, Mr. Charles said the statement did not move him one way or the other. "I'm about education," said Mr. Charles. "This is not about me or anyone else: it's about educating all kids."

Mr. Butterfield's statement, released via Premier Ewart Brown's Press Secretary Glenn Jones, also stressed his commitment to education through the Bank of Bermuda.

He stated: "Under my leadership, the Bank of Bermuda has been a longtime sponsor of educational reform in Bermuda. To date, we have funded programs costing almost a half-million dollars.

"We attempted to help lead the reform by finding and sponsoring, in collaboration with Government and Professor David Hopkins.

"We identified and funded, in collaboration with Government, the five-year strategic plan detailing the proposed direction for public education.

"We intend to continue our support for education in every way that we can as we all strive to make Bermuda's children be all that they can be."