Former Education Commissioner Edmond Heatley did not receive a severance package after controversially resigning from the post last month.

And Education Minister Grant Gibbons has also confirmed that the Ministry was unaware of a survey which, according to Dr Heatley, showed a massive increase in school approval ratings during his short tenure.

American Dr Heatley was appointed by Government last September. However, four months later he had applied for a schools superintendent position in Louisiana. In his application for the job, Dr Heatley claimed that he had improved Bermuda’s public school approval ratings by a massive 70 percent — from 23 percent to 93 percent.

Dr Heatley later withdrew his application, claiming he had allowed his name to be put forward for the position following “major” and “unsettling” changes within the Education Ministry — Dr Gibbons replaced Nalton Brangman as Minister in December.

However, he was forced to stand down last month after MPs and teachers questioned his commitment to improving the Island’s education system.

In the House of Assembly yesterday, Independent MP Terry Lister asked if Government was aware of the survey refered to by Dr Heatley that showed massive increases in public school approval ratings.

Amid much giggling and jeers from MPs on both sides of the House, Dr Gibbons replied: “The Ministry has no knowledge of the survey to which Dr Heatley was referring.”

Mr Lister then asked: “Given that he included this false information on his job application, what impact did this have in assessing his suitability here as an educational leader?”

Dr Gibbons replied: “Obviously Dr Heatley is no longer with the Ministry.”

Following further questions from Mr Lister, Dr Gibbons confirmed that Dr Heatley had been on a salary of just over $170,000 per annum — and was not given a severance package when he handed in his resignation.