constant stream of vacancies is to be filled within a short time-frame, the Shadow Education Minister claimed last night.

Opposition MP Tim Smith attacked Education Minister Milton Scott for going to Britain this week in search of eight new primary teachers.

He said the UK was suffering a teacher shortage itself, and argued that, had Government ensured performance-related promotions, fewer people on the Island would be leaving the profession.

Mr. Smith said: "In 1988, they (PLP) said they were making education their main priority.

"With this promise, they were hoping to attract an abundance of teachers.

Instead, their policies are simply not capturing the interest of potential recruits. This Government has done little to keep teachers in the profession.

"Pay and work conditions have not improved appreciably and remain unattractive when compared to other professions.

"I am not sure what the minister has up his sleeve to excite potential recruits to our shores.'' However, Mr. Scott said that, as his Permanent Secretary Michelle Khaldun was interviewing 20 candidates in the UK this week for eight jobs, Bermuda must be doing something right.

But the Opposition Minister also attacked Government for failing to renew the contracts of teachers from overseas.

And he named CedarBridge Academy as an example in case, which last year lost 25 teachers at the end of the summer term -- amounting to a quarter of its teaching staff.

Schools need more staff The staff left for a variety of reasons, however, some did not have contracts renewed, and a recruitment drive was needed immediately to find replacements in time for September.

Mr. Smith said Government should have been renewing contracts of good teachers who wished to stay on the Island, especially in primary schools where class sizes were being reduced, and in secondary schools where the skills were specialised.

And a senior educational source agreed.

The educator, who did not wish to be named, said: "I do not understand why the ministry refuses to renew contracts after three years, especially in secondary schools because it is very difficult to find good specialised teachers, and Bermuda has very few of its own.

"I understand that Government does not want foreign workers staying for unlimited periods of time, but three years is not long enough.

"It takes time to settle into the culture of the Island and a school, and to establish a relationship with students, and gain respect from the students.

"Teachers are just beginning to give their best and achieve the best results when they are made to leave. I think it is very dispiriting for those from overseas, as well as unsettling for the pupils who have to get new teachers.

"If Bermudians want the jobs, by all means they should get them. However, I don't really see the point of refusing to renew contracts when the ministry then has to go overseas to find replacements. Allowing them to stay for six years, at least, would be better.'' But last night Mr. Scott said he was very open-minded about recruiting teachers, and was not adverse to allowing good foreign teachers to renew contracts.

He said the shortage of teachers was a world-wide problem and not unique to Bermuda, and said although the UK was suffering the same, the ministry had had some good applications from primary school teachers.

He said: "The Ministry is taking a pro-active approach to recruiting through a variety of routes.

"Primarily, we are working to bring good Bermudian teachers into the system.

We know that there are Bermudian teachers who have moved into different careers and we would like to encourage them back into the teaching profession.

"We are looking at a proposal to provide opportunities to obtain certification for those who are not trained but would like to become teachers.

"In addition, we must look for good teachers from overseas to fill our vacancies.

"The UK is also facing a shortage -- but our recruitment strategy there is nevertheless achieving results. This week we will be interviewing 20 suitable candidates for eight vacancies, so we have obviously been successful in selling Bermuda as an attractive option.

"Subject to Bermudianisation, teachers we recruit from overseas will be welcome to stay.''