Education Minister Tim Smith has vowed to avoid a dirty election campaign after the Opposition Leader claimed Bermuda's public schools failed their children.

But the Minister fired his own warning to Jennifer Smith last night, claiming she had dealt in "innuendo and misinformation''.

She promised last week that a PLP Government would introduce a new religious education curriculum to "teach moral values and build character''.

The Opposition Leader also claimed Mr. Smith had said publicly that only 64 percent of CedarBridge Academy graduates had made the required grades.

But he refuted both her claims -- saying 64 percent of CedarBridge's year five students had graduated, and adding that all Bermuda's schools already taught religious studies.

Mr. Smith, flanked by Chief Education Officer Dr. Joseph Christopher, called a press conference to say the Ministry was aiming for a 100 percent graduation rate at CedarBridge and other schools.

And he said: "Education cannot become a political football. It is too serious a matter.

"I am personally committed to providing every child in this country the best start that we can.'' Mr. Smith added that the year five graduation rate was up on the 56 percent figure for 1997.

"I will not accept innuendo and misinformation,'' he added. "I will not accept positive action and direction undermined at every opportunity.

"If the Opposition must insist on playing politics, let them stay away from doing it with education.

"I was also upset at the timing of the critic's outburst. As our children and their parents prepare for the new school year, they should be supported and encouraged.

"The system is sound. It is a good system. It is getting better with every passing week.'' He insisted the pre-election debate "need not sink to those levels, especially when our children are concerned''.

But Mr. Smith promised parents he did not believe the 64 percent graduation rate was good enough.

And Dr. Christopher added: "The objective of the ministry is for 100 percent of students to graduate from all schools.

"We will put in the resources necessary for as many students as possible to graduate from senior school.'' The education planning team is already reviewing its strategies and the primary level curriculum is about to be updated, he said.

And the Minister said Bermuda's school system was already equipped to teach religious education -- and support the family values taught to children by their parents.

"In particular, the middle level three curriculum includes analysis of religions in the modern era,'' said Mr. Smith.

"Students are already taught different cultures and beliefs. And honesty, loyalty and courage are taught throughout languages, arts and social studies.

"Instructions in values takes place throughout the curriculum, rather than in one single topic. But the place our children will learn and live their values is in the home.'' "This is one of the principle roles of the family. I will not undermine this role but support it in every way I can, as do the schools themselves.''