A number of educators have been exempted from having to satisfy professional requirements laid down by law, Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith told the House of Assembly on Friday.She said the exemptions, gazetted earlier this month, were in response to requests received by the Exemption Committee.“The Committee met as needed to consider proposals for exemptions, many of which arose as a result of the Ministry of Education crackdown on individuals who were either uncertified or unqualified,” the Minister said.“The Bermuda Educators Council also reported that some persons, who were previously non-compliant with the Act, produced their credentials and submitted them to the BEC as a direct result of the actions the Ministry took in June.”She reminded her parliamentary colleagues that the Bermuda Educators Act provides for exemptions under certain circumstances.“The intent of the Act is to ensure that when there are shortages of staff in schools and/or when there are legitimate reasons, the Minister may provide exemptions in specified circumstances or subject to conditions to an individual or group of persons,” Dame Jennifer said.“Therefore, in hard to fill subject areas, the Minister, based on a recommendation from the Exemption Committee, may exempt an individual in order that they might fulfill a need in our schools.”