The Bermuda Union of Teachers today welcomed the appointment of Kalmar Richards as the new acting Commissioner of Education.

Union leaders said it was vital that there was some stability within the Education Department, which has seen a succession of ministers and commissioners.

BUT president Shannon James said that Mrs Richards, who was principal at CedarBridge Academy for nearly two decades, was an excellent principal who was well qualified to take on the Commissioner’s role.

He added: “We have had much instability within the top levels of education and we are ready to move on and work closely with Mrs Richards to help further improve the quality of education.”

Edmond Heatley left in April 2014 after only seven months in the job and was replaced by an acting Commissioner, Lou Matthews, who was acting for three months. Freddie Evans, who was appointed as Commissioner of Education in March last year, was sacked from his post.

The case is now going to court as Mr Evans’s lawyer, Mark Diel argues that Mr Evans could only be sacked from the post within his probation period. Mr Diel says that did not happen and is claiming damages on behalf of his client.