Education officials yesterday moved quickly to quash suspicions about the selection process for Bermuda Government Scholarships.

In a hastily called press conference, Minister Tim Smith said he was satisfied the selection process was "fair and equitable''.

Flanked by several members of the scholarship committee and the acting permanent secretary Dr. Joseph Christopher, Mr. Smith said he believed there was a need to review the selection process.

He said the review would report why there was a high number of students who were ineligible for the scholarship due to incomplete submissions.

He added: "Accordingly, I instructed the Board on Tuesday this week -- before the concerns of Mr. Jones were known to me -- to submit recommendations to me within 30 days.'' "I cannot discount the individual responsibility,'' Mr. Smith added. "But one of the key areas is deadlines.'' He added: "Government financing is available to any qualified student.

Regardless of race or gender or if they attended a Government or private school.'' Scholarship selection committee member of the Board, Kelly Francis Trott explained that 100 young people applied for the scholarship.

She said 19 were automatically disqualified because of age.

Another 60 students were ineligible for the scholarship due to incomplete information but were selected for the lesser awards.

Mrs. Francis Trott said completed application forms must be submitted no later than April 15, and transcripts had to be in by June 30.

On Thursday, journalism student and ZBM newscaster Glen Jones wrote a scathing criticism of the lack of black male winners of the Ministry's top award.

He noted that of the winners who attended Tuesday's awards ceremony, six were female, one was male and there were no black males.

Mr. Smith, although sympathetic, on Thursday said that the one person who did not attend was a black male.

He added: "It also disturbs me that not one of the successful candidates is from the public system. That's precisely what we intend to address in the future.'' EDUCATION ED