Education Minister Jerome Dill moved to allay concerns that teachers may have to work longer hours.

But Bermuda Union of Teachers president Michael Charles said as far as teachers were concerned the issue was still up in the air.

Mr. Dill told The Royal Gazette there was no truth to reports that the school day in middle schools may be extended from 3.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

And he said the day will start at 8.30 a.m. for all middle schools to allow uniformity.

"The school day has been starting at 8.30 a.m. since 1974,'' he pointed out.

"Over the course of the past years, two schools (Northlands and Warwick Secondary) have been starting at 8.30 a.m. Sandys has been starting at 8.35 a.m., Whitney has been starting at 8.40 a.m., and St. George's have been starting at 8.45 a.m.

"The decision was made by the principals, which is consistent with the fact that we're offering comparable curriculum, to open and shut at a comparable time. That ensures consistency system wide.

"But there is no move to extend the day beyond the current 3.30 p.m.'' Mr. Dill also pointed out that the collective agreement between teachers and the Education Ministry for 1995-97 -- which BUT organiser Milton Scott negotiated -- called for teachers to be at their places of employment 15 minutes before the school day began.

"So that's not new,'' he added.

Mr. Dill said he was also concerned that both Mr. Charles and Mr. Scott had mentioned possible industrial action twice in a three-week period.

"I have no idea why Milton Scott and Michael Charles went to the Press and talked about potential for industrial action when on Monday they made an appointment to meet with the Chief Education Officer, Joseph Christopher, on Thursday,'' he noted.

"Why go to the Press in the intervening period and talk about the potential for industrial action?'' However, Mr. Dill said: "If having this discussion in the Press has allayed any concerns of some teachers, then I fully recognise that at least some good has come of it.'' But Mr. Charles noted that he had spoken with Association of School Principals president Livingston Tuzo as recently as yesterday.

And he said Mr. Tuzo had "admitted'' that principals had told their staff about the 4 p.m. change.

"Now they have backed down on it,'' Mr. Charles added.

"Maybe the Minister should talk to these principals and find out before he goes to the media.'' Mr. Dill said middle school teachers will be reporting to their respective schools next week and they were expected to discuss and work out "a whole range of things'' then.

"As far as I'm concerned, I want the opening of school in September to go as seamlessly as possible,'' he stressed. "Clearly, it is going to be a very challenging time for all of us.

"Unless we have the support of the teachers, we are going to be in some difficulty. So you may rest assure that we are not going to do anything which is going to be adverse to the interest of students or teachers.''