A teacher at the Bermuda High School for Girls has resigned following the discovery by school authorities that he had transmitted a racially offensive message on the Internet.

School head Roy Napier would not say whether the teacher had been asked to resign. He told The Royal Gazette that the email message, which was sent to somebody off the Island, contained an "inappropriate" racial comment and the matter was brought to his attention.

The teacher, a work permit holder, had been working at the private girls school for a year and a half.

"It has not affected the education of the kids," Mr. Napier said. "We have managed to find substitute teachers for that position."

He would not identify the teacher when asked. A memo sent to parents Monday, however, identified him as Chris Donovan and stated that he felt he had to resign as a result of the inappropriate comments. Donovan taught GCSE English at the school. Sources say he has already left the Island.