Education offices to petition Permanent Secretary Dr. Marion Robinson over acting principal Mr. Warren Jones' rejection as a candidate for full-time head teacher.

PTA president Mrs. Lynette Waldron was able to present the petition to Dr.

Robinson shortly after noon, following a half-hour wait in the building's foyer.

Students and parents are claiming Mr. Jones was not considered for the vacant principal's position at Northlands, even though he has been acting principal for the past three years.

Teachers have said Mr. Jones had applied for the position, but was told his application was not being considered.

And the Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers (ABUT) has thrown its support behind the teachers and PTA. Several teachers have said Mr. Jones was able to instil a sense of harmony among the staff, and for the last two years Northlands BSSC scores had been the highest in the school's history.

Department secretaries told the delegation several times that Dr. Robinson was not in, although her government car was sitting in the parking lot.

Annoyed parent Ms Benita DeSilva phoned the department and said: "We want to see Dr. Robinson, and will only take a few minutes of her time. We will either wait downstairs or up there in the office, but we will see her.'' Ms DeSilva told The Royal Gazette : "One secretary up there keeps passing the buck. She keeps telling us Dr. Robinson isn't here, but I think she's (Dr.

Robinson) avoiding us. It's as if she wants to run away and hide.'' When it was suggested that Dr. Robinson was eating her lunch and did not want to be interrupted, Mrs. Waldron replied: "They want to interrupt our children's education!'' Education Minister, the Hon. Dr. Clarence Terceira appeared during the wait, but refused to comment or accept the petition. He told the gathering that Dr.

Robinson was on her lunch break, but as Minister, the law prevented him from becoming involved in the matter. He told the crowd he was sympathetic to their concerns, but there were procedures that had to be followed.

Mrs. Waldron appealed for order, telling the assembly their interests would be heard.

Shortly after the Minister left, Dr. Robinson appeared on the steps leading to her office. She followed the crowd outside the building to hear their concerns.

Mrs. Waldron handed the secretary the petition, signed by teachers, students, and ex-students of Northlands and told her: "We want to know why Warren Jones was overlooked. His record speaks for itself. We are sending the wrong message to our kids. Our stress has got to be education.

"Many students believe Mr. Jones (has a commitment to them), and they will testify that they believe in him.

" We are a family and we work together as one. Why wasn't he recognised for any position? At the end of the term he has nowhere to go!'' The crowd broke into tumultuous applause and cheers at those words.

Mrs. Waldron continued: "Mr. Jones is a good role model and we are taking a strong stand on his behalf. Why is it that when you do something or stand up for something in this society you are knocked down? "We don't need to lose any more children. Let us know what we can expect in this matter. Mr. Jones wasn't even given a chance. All we want to know is why.'' Dr. Robinson thanked the people for their petition and said she understood their concerns, but it was improper to comment on the situation. She did say, however, that the Association of School Principals had taken the appropriate action and followed the correct procedures.

Photo: David Skinner.

HEAR OUR PLEA -- Northlands Secondary School PTA President Mrs. Lynette Waldron presents a petition to Permanent Education Secretary Dr. Marion Robinson.