specialised areas.

Education Minister Milton Scott outlined the problem during a recent interview with The Royal Gazette .

"We need local PE, maths and science teachers, we need teachers at the senior school level, in IT and in learning support, and we need them now,'' he said.

Also being addressed in recruitment is the ratio of male to female teachers.

"We need more males in the schools especially at the primary level,'' Sen.

Scott said.

"We recognise that many primary schools have only one male teacher on staff and he often tends to be the PE teacher.'' "We want to balance that divide,'' he added, explaining that it will be healthier for staff and for students.

"We realise that male role models are missing in the schools, and introducing them will be beneficial not only to young boys, but young girls as well,'' he pointed out.

In an effort to help attract Bermudian men into the teaching profession, Sen.

Scott has shifted policy.

He has introduced a programme where males with college degrees, but no teacher qualification, are taken on, coached and assisted.

The men have to complete a course in teacher training over a three-year period, though details are still being worked on as to where the course will be delivered. Sen. Scott has not ruled out the possibility that it will be available through the Bermuda College.

While locals are being enticed into teaching, the Minister is sensitive to their needs to be creative. To this end he has given the schools and their principals autonomy.

"It allows the professionals to do what they are best trained to do,'' he pointed out.

But with the new freedom comes expectations that specific standards will be achieved, Senator Scott stressed. And failing that he said, procedures are in place to get the school back on track.

"We have increased the accountability,'' he said. "If progress is not being made, then we will step in to see how to maximise learning results.

"Incompetence will ultimately result in people being fired and there are procedures in place for that.''