A veteran teacher plans to take legal action against the Education Department if they insist he take a test for a deputy principal post at the senior secondary school.

The Royal Gazette understands Northlands deputy principal Randolph Benjamin has sent a letter the to the Department informing it of his displeasure.

The Department decided to use an occupational test, from Government's Personnel Services, after 17 people applied for three deputy principal posts at Cedarbridge Academy.

Applicants' performances on the test, which deals with occupational personality and aptitude, will be considered along with their curriculum vitae, a letter showing why they were best for the job, and their performance in interviews.

The selection process for the deputy principal posts is to be completed by next Wednesday.

But having been in education for the past 35 years, including serving as acting principal at two high schools, Mr. Benjamin stated he felt insulted by the testing process.

He questioned why the Canadian principal of Cedarbridge Academy, Ernest Payette, was not required to take the test.

He also noted the Department already had "checks and balances'' in place to assess teachers' performances.

And Mr. Benjamin, who declined to comment on the matter yesterday, has given the Department until today to scrap the testing process.

Permanent Secretary Marion Robinson could not be reached for comment.

But the Education Department's senior manager of Human Resources Ray Latter -- while noting he could not discuss individual cases, particularly since it might result in legal action -- said the Department wanted to ensure that it had the best people for the job.

"We believe this is in the best interest of the system,'' he said, adding the test was the only way the Department could short-list applicants for the deputy principal posts.

He explained Mr. Payette was not tested locally because the Department was not aware of the test at the time he was hired.

However, he pointed out Mr. Payette had to go through at least four interviews with various officials, including the Minister of Education, the Permanent Secretary, the interim senior secondary school board, and a representative from Personnel Services.

And Mr. Latter noted that Mr. Payette had to go through an assessment programme which involved two days of testing.