Education Board chair Mark Byrne has spoken of the decision to implement the Cambridge International Curriculum in Bermuda's public schools, calling local reaction to the move "almost uniformly positive".

Mr. Byrne and Minister of Education Elvin James made the announcement at the end of May, and recently confirmed that the curriculum will be rolled out across all Government schools in September 2010. However, two schools one primary and one middle will start the UK programme this fall on a pilot basis.

The Flagstone Re boss and father-of-four was appointed to head the new Board of Education earlier this year, and has been handed the task of revamping the Island's beleaguered school system.

Mr. Byrne told The Royal Gazette that the Cambridge International Curriculum was chosen for a host of reasons, including the ease with which Bermudians can pursue higher education in the UK, where the curriculum's IGCSE qualifications are recognised. He said that the Bermuda School Certificate from the old curriculum is not recognised at British universities.

"It just makes all the sense in the world to give Bermudians the opportunity to study in the UK," he said, citing the rights of Bermudians to live and work in Britain and noting the reduced fees for all Britons, including Bermudians, at UK universities.

He said he hopes the new curriculum will enable more Bermudians to pursue university education, noting that a "pretty low percentage" of Government school graduates currently attend four-year colleges.

"What I'd like to see is more Bermudians succeeding in the international business sector, particularly black males," he said. "Having the opportunity to be schooled in the UK might mean getting a job on the fourth floor rather than the first floor."

Mr. Byrne noted that the curriculum with be "Bermudianised" by its 2010 implementation, with students taught the workings of Bermuda's Government as well as global civics.

He said that a committee has been appointed at the Board of Education to plan the introduction of a technical track into Bermuda's public schools.

"There is a somewhat unmet demand for technical education in Bermuda," he said. "We're not trying to be elitist here. The Board is uniformly in favour of improving the technical offering."

Motor repair and HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) are two of the courses Mr. Byrne says could be introduced to the Island's schools depending on the board's recommendations.

There are also plans afoot to provide more support for parents, students at risk of failing, and gifted children. Mr. Byrne noted that about 50 percent of the intake at Bermuda's Centre for Talented Youth is from the Government school system. He said that support for bright students may be as simple as providing transport to the Centre's after-school programme, held at Saltus School.

"There's probably a lot of kids that just can't make it to Saltus after school," he said.