ERROR RG P4 29.10.1998 A story in yesterday's Royal Gazette incorrectly stated that Education Minister Tim Smith apologised if the advertisement inferred that the numbers reflected the average class size.

Everyone -- whether parents or not -- has an opinion on it and a stake in it.

It is discussed everywhere and anywhere -- from Hamilton boardrooms to supermarkets, from cocktail parties to sporting events.

And it is sure to be on voters' minds as they go to the polls on November 9 to elect the Government which will take Bermuda into the 21st Century.

None should be more aware of this than Education Minister Tim Smith and Progressive Labour Party Leader Jennifer Smith who has been the Shadow Education Minister for the past ten years.

Ms Smith -- who was not available for comment -- has squared off against four United Bermuda Party MPs who have held the key Cabinet post during that time.

But Mr. Smith -- who has held the post for five months -- assured The Royal Gazette he would not drop the hot political potato if his party is successful in the upcoming election and his leader, Premier Pamela Gordon, allows.

"I am committed to education,'' he said. "My vision as we are moving forward is to have a world-class education system where we can produce productive and successful citizens.

"My focus is not to compare Bermuda with the rest of the world, but to have the rest of the world compare itself to Bermuda.'' The UBP in its platform has promised, among other things, to: Appoint a new Education Planning Team; Complete the final phase of restructuring, with primary schools receiving the same "comprehensive review'' undertaken at the middle and secondary levels; Complete the integration and advancement of computer technology at all levels of the school system; Institute a proficiency requirement in the use of computers for high school graduation; Develop and implement the (public) reporting of individual school performances in the areas of truancy and national test scores; Expand partnerships between businesses and schools to include mentoring programmes and specific training programmes; and Expand the teacher and student exchange programme opportunities.

Mr. Smith boasted that since the EPT came up with some 200 recommendations ten years ago to improve public school system, Government has addressed most of the key areas.

Of the $165 million budget dedicated to education reform, some $95 million has been spent.

And Mr. Smith said Government plans to use the rest of funds for a variety of improvements, particularly at the primary school level.

"My intention is to focus on the primary school level,'' he said. "From 1999 to 2001 you will see more renovations and a comprehensive review of that level will be carried out.'' Regarding the review of the entire education system, Mr. Smith said EPT 2010 -- which is expected to be formed by the end of November and to release its recommendations by the end of next year -- will include "a significant number of teachers and principals, and some community members''.

He said: "We're going to focus on standards of performance, what measurements should be included, average classroom sizes and student-teacher ratio.

Primarily with Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy we want to know what percentage of students go to college, enter the workforce, and how does each school compare with the other.'' The EPT 2010 will also consider the following initiatives: Decentralising decision making so that principals can assess their own priorities; Introducing teacher and principal of the year awards; and Creating separate secondary school diplomas for CedarBridge and Berkeley.

Summing up his feelings about the public school system, Mr. Smith said: "It is imperative that the Government provide a secure foundation so that our students can face the future with confidence. I believe the UBP has demonstrated its ability to carry this out.'' Warwick West candidate Elvin James, however, disagreed.

Speaking on behalf of the party, Mr. James said: "What I'm hearing (during canvassing) is that everyone should be entitled to a quality education and the only way is by sending a child to a private institution.'' This and the fact that 50 percent of CedarBridge students were functioning below the required literacy level were causes for concern, he said.

And he blamed it on the UBP's "lack of planning''.

Students at the senior level now were only starting school when reform talks began ten years ago, he noted.

"When you look back at what they've done, we can say as far as dollars and cents they have succeeded,'' Mr. James said. "But when we have 50 percent of children functioning below the required literacy level that is not good.'' The former teacher said the PLP as a Government would carry out the following: Set national academic standards for each school year and make the Education Department and schools responsible for meeting these standards; Re-introduce truancy officers; Introduce a student/teacher ratio of no more than 15 to one; Introduce early intervention programmes to identify and provide for students' special needs; Place more emphasis on local history; Set up a new education planning team; Elect school boards for every school with members consisting of parents and people from the community around the school; and Encourage a "stronger'' National PTA which will be supported by the Education Department and teachers.

Agreeing with the PLP on several aspects of education, National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers called the UBP's steps taken to improve the education system "questionable'', particularly CedarBridge Academy.

"The more I talk to people I realise that could be a mistake,'' Mr. Jeffers said. "But we have to work with it. The question is how do we improve the effectiveness of CedarBridge.

"Since our education system should be designed so that all benefit, we have to look at what is best for the individual.'' Mr. Jeffers compared Government's method of education reform to the building of a house.

"They have built the roof first, then the walls, then the foundation,'' he said referring to the changes at the senior level. "You would think that if you're going to start, you will start at the bottom, then middle, then top. To start at the top and then these children are not ready for it seems ridiculous.'' He stressed primary schools had to play a very important role in education.

"Attention must be paid to everything -- from class size right along up to curriculum, at that level,'' he said.

Noting the recent row between the Education Ministry and West End Primary parents over the size of classes, Mr. Jeffers said the UBP misled the country by stating the average student-teacher ratio was 12 to one.

"We at this stage have not been able to see exactly what the ratio should be,'' he said. "But we certainly would look at that issue. It is more important today than 20 years ago when discipline was much better and when corporal punishment was used.'' Defending the student-teacher ratio advertisement, Mr. Smith said: "The ratio was accurately reported if you consider the number of adults who interact with our students on a daily basis in schools.'' However, he admitted that the average class size was 21 at the primary school level and he did not know the ratio for the middle and senior school levels.

He also apologised if the advertisement "inferred'' that the numbers reflected the average student-teacher ratio.

The NLP's Charles Jeffers The UBP's Tim Smith Graphic file name: SMIITIT The PLP's Elvin James Graphic file name: WELJAMS