Gerald Simons had been knifed in the back by white racists.

Mr. Dale Butler, principal at St. George's Secondary, said United Bermuda Party supporters had wielded the blade.

They were determined to sacrifice Mr. Simons in their efforts to keep children of working class families segregated, he added.

And the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan caved in to their pressure, hoping to save Mr. Simons' Warwick East seat.

But it left the UBP without a powerful voice against humourless white racists.

It could also have sounded the death knell for education reform, claimed Mr.

Butler.

Mr. Butler said many people applauded Mr. Simons' departure from Education in the recent Cabinet shuffle and said: "Good riddance''.

"But history will record he was a victim of racism and the political process.'' He continued: "History will record that a small but powerful group of white UBP supporters were determined to keep the children of working class families segregated according to ability and behaviour and they encouraged the Premier to change him.

"Now the UBP has no one who can confront the white racists of this Country with humour, educated opinion and poise, who can also demand that adequate provisions be made for the children of working class families.'' Mr. Butler said Mr. Simons, who replaced the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto as Environment Minister, had been knifed in the back by colleagues.

"Gerald's transfer is an attempt to remove the knife in his back, and also save Government a seat.

"It is unfortunate, therefore, that the Premier could not, in my opinion, have ignored the poll results for Mr. Simons' constituency and allowed the ex-Minister to get on with the job of preparing children for our technological age and the numerous highly-skilled jobs available.'' Mr. Butler went on: "No doubt there was a joyous celebration that the only man with guts in the UBP had finally fallen and buried education reform with him.

"But for those of us concerned about public education, this is not good news for an issue that is not only universally controversial but desperately in need of strong and determined leadership.'' Mr. Butler admitted he had had his disagreements with Mr. Simons, and occasionally accused him of lethargy.

But Mr. Simons' pluses outnumbered the negatives, said Mr. Butler.

"His efforts to prepare Bermudians for the 21st century were very necessary and history will record that we were very lavish with our criticisms but lacking with our praise and encouragement because he was often left to hold the ball on his own.'' He added: "On the other hand, however, history will also record his knees began to buckle due to the lack of overt support by his colleagues who said one thing nationally and another to his constituents.'' Mr. Butler said parents now had a responsibility to help the new Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira lead the way to a better future.

There were two essential ingredients missing at present, he added.

"There is insufficient public recognition that education is still the road to upward mobility.

"There is also a lack of parental support for teachers. We need their total support.''