The Education Department has launched an investigation after questions were raised about the qualifications of the man running the information technology curriculum in the Island's public schools.

The Bermuda Sun reported yesterday that a number of American colleges where Abdallah Ahad said he had studied have never heard of him.

Mr. Adad, who holds the $80,000-a-year post designing and developing the IT curriculum for all public schools, was the man whose complaints about alleged racist comments led to the sacking of veteran Bermuda College lecturer Dr. Sean O'Connell. Dr. O'Connell denies making racist comments.

According to The Sun, Mr. Adad's resume states he studied at Harvard in 1982 although the university has no listing of him among its alumni.

The resume is also said to claim he studied and taught computers at Cambridge College, Massachusetts, although the newspaper reports the college saying it has never heard of him.

The newspaper asked Mr. Addad if he had a degree ? the minimum qualification needed for entry level educators ? and he reportedly said he had but would not reveal from which institution because he was "not on trial".

Chief Education Officer Dr Joseph Christopher said last night: "We will be investigating any matter raised by the public and we are investigating."

When asked if Mr. Adad was suspended until the investigation is complete, Dr Christopher said: "We don't comment on personnel matters."was unable to contact Mr. Adad yesterday.