The Opposition Progressive Labour Party stood accused last night of trying to turn education into a political football.

The accusation was levelled by Education Minister Jerome Dill as he took his Opposition counterpart Ms Jennifer Smith to task.

He hit out after Ms Smith questioned the logic behind plans for an audit of the Education Department's practices and policies.

Mr. Dill said the proposals were in the best interests of Bermudian children.

And he accused Ms Smith of failing to do her homework on an independent audit.

"She was clearly confused as to what was meant by it. It is an audit of the entire education system, not just the curriculum.'' He added: "I would hope in the New Year we can focus on what is best for children.

"I hope the PLP will stick to the issues and not try to politicise education.'' Last week, Mr. Dill announced Government was searching for an American, Canadian, or British firm to carry out an audit.

He said the Education Ministry believed it would benefit from an outside look at the public school system, education policies and procedures.

"I, too, would be assisted greatly by a completely independent second opinion so that I can have confidence that we are proceeding in the best way possible,'' Mr. Dill said.

But Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Sen. Milton Scott pointed out his organisation had proposed a complete audit of the education system in 1989 -- but this was rejected.

He claimed Mr. Dill had agreed to an audit because of public pressure.

Ms Smith also questioned the motives for the audit.

She said she found it strange Government would choose to have an education audit when the public school system was expected to go through major restructuring, beginning next year.

"I am most surprised that in revealing that he is going to have an audit conducted the Minister focussed on the Education Department's practices and policies.'' Ms Smith said she would have expected staffing to be one of the main focuses in the audit.

She added the Education Ministry needed to set out clear goals so parents could feel confident their children would leave school with the required standard of education.

Mr. Dill said an audit had to be good for Bermuda, adding: "I don't know anybody who thinks it is a bad idea.'' He went on to counter the argument Government was succumbing to public pressure.

"If that is the case then it is a good thing, since in a democracy we are supposed to be a responsive and responsible Government.

(See editorial, Page 4)