Education expert Henry Johnson is urging schools reform leaders to quit squabbling and fight for a brighter future for Bermuda's youngsters.

Dr. Johnson said recommendations from the Hopkins Report could lead to a hugely improved education system in a few years but only if those responsible for implementing them stop wasting time and effort arguing with each other.

He was speaking after reform board chairman Philip Butterfield publicly belittled Bermuda Union of Teachers leader Mike Charles as a gym teacher who has had his 15 minutes of fame.

Two weeks ago, Mr. Charles had said consultant executive officer Dr. Johnson should have been sacked instead of Education Minister Randolph Horton.

Yesterday, giving his prediction for the state of education in Bermuda in three years' time, Dr. Johnson told The Royal Gazette:"It depends on the will of the people inside and outside the Ministry.

"I think Bermuda can create its own education future and in a real sense create its own national future.

"There's an inverse relationship between the amount of squabbling going on over education reform and the learning outcomes for students"

The potential is certainly there to significantly improve student learning outcomes. It's going to happen to some extent because once we start publicising results, one thing that will definitely happen is that students, teachers and principals are going to pay a heck of a lot of attention to results.

"What I'm concerned about is the degree of improvement. I think the potential is there for significant improvement if all the stakeholders are aligned in their efforts. If there is substantial fighting the improvement will be less significant."

BUThas been locked in a war of words with the Ministry of Education in recent months, with the union complaining it has been left out of the reform process.And at a meeting of the parliamentary Joint Select Committee on education on Tuesday, Mr. Butterfield told MPs it was a travesty that Mr. Charles had become the public face of education in Bermuda, telling them:"I don't give a damn that the unions are aggrieved. "

Reacting yesterday, Dr. Johnson said it was better to bring light rather than heat to a situation, adding:"I think it's really a waste of time when we can be spending energy trying to figure out ways to educate kids, rather than to argue about whether somebody should or should not be in a role. I think that's not very helpful.

"There's only so much energy that each of us has. If we choose to use it to solve issues, it's time better spent."