The Principal of Dellwood Middle School has decided against filing a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission against the local businessman who accused the school of practising racism.

Jeanette Musson said it was always her intention to simply send a message to Douglas Howe, owner of Bermuda Rentals that they did not appreciate the way he treated them and invite him to the school to see for himself what the school's “ASHAY: Rites of Passage” programme was all about.

She said since the article appeared in The Royal Gazette, her telephone had not stopped ringing.

“We've had so many calls from people wanting to know more about the Ashay programme and we're only too happy to supply information,” she said.

She added that numerous people had asked about seeing the programme in action and The Coalition for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) are set to visit the school next week.

A former history teacher praised the schools' efforts yesterday for teaching black history in Bermudian schools.

Joshua Richardson said he spent eight years teaching English history and would have loved to have taught history that was more relevant to the country.

“I was deeply offended by Mr. Howe's comments. I believe you should embrace the culture of all the people who live in your country, not just one,” he said.

He said he hoped other schools would adopt a similar programme and “get with it”.

Meanwhile the Human Rights Commission said it could do nothing about the matter if a formal complaint was not lodged.