principal of Northlands Secondary School, where teachers and students this week protested in favour of acting principal Mr. Warren Jones.

Mrs. Bassett, who is principal at Somerset Primary School, will take up the position this September.

Her appointment was made in anticipation of the proposed conversion of Northlands Secondary School to Dellwood Middle School in 1997 for which she has undertaken training in Canada.

Last night Mr. Jones, who has served as Northlands acting principal for three years, declined to comment on the situation.

Education Permanent Secretary Dr. Marion Robinson was not available for comment.

The decision was announced following Wednesday's protest at the Education Ministry by Northlands students and parents supporting Mr. Jones as principal.

PTA president Mrs. Lynette Waldron presented a petition signed by teachers, students and ex-students of Northlands to Dr. Robinson demanding to know why Mr. Jones had not been considered for the position.

Ms Jennifer Smith, Progressive Labour Party education critic, yesterday said she supported the protestors. She said she feared the message being sent was that if you were black and male, you would not get ahead.

Ms Smith suggested it was time Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira looked into the matter. She said the Department needed to establish clear requirements for principalships, and one standard for selection should apply to all candidates.

Other appointments announced yesterday included Mrs. Charlotte Ming as principal of St. George's Secondary School. Mrs. Ming is currently principal at Harrington Sound Primary where she has served for 10 years. Like Mrs.

Bassett, she has also undertaken middle school training in Canada.

Mrs. Kalmar Richards, a teacher for seven years, is to become principal of Somerset Primary, replacing Mrs. Bassett. Mrs. Suzette Walters, currently acting principal at Dellwood School, will replace Mrs. Ming as principal at Harrington Sound School.

Deputy principal at Devon Lane School, Mrs. Cathy Bassett, will become principal of East End Primary School, replacing Mrs. Sheila Johnson who is retiring this year.