A battle to import a teacher from the Azores to educate youngsters facing repatriation has ended after eight months.

Ms Paula Tavares faces a real challenge preparing students, who have lived in Bermuda all their lives, for life in the Azores.

She has been brought to Bermuda to teach at the Portuguese School, which aims to integrate many students into a lifestyle where Portuguese is the main language.

The Portuguese Cultural Association celebrated fixing the final piece in its crucial education jigsaw when Ms Tavares, who has taught for three years in the Azores, arrived over the weekend to teach at the school based in the Vasco da Gama Club, Hamilton.

But it was a struggle to persuade Government to allow another teacher into the country.

President of the Portuguese Cultural Association Mr. Julio Simao said: "We have tried to get a teacher since May 22, when we first applied.

"It seems Government has too many teachers and not enough schools, so it was hard for us to convince them to bring another teacher in.'' The crisis occurred with the retirement of the former teacher last year after five years at the Portuguese School.

The school has run on the Island for 10 years at a variety of schools. It has been based at the Reid Street club for the past two years in one classroom.

Recently, a recreation room has been added to the facilities at the club to enable lessons in folk dancing.

These lessons will be added to Ms Tavares' exercises in Portuguese language and the culture of the Azores.

All classes take place after normal school hours and some will be available for adults wishing to learn Portuguese.

Ms Tavares says she speaks a little English and will have to become accustomed to some of her students who talk with a strong Bermudian dialect.

Many Portuguese workers left the Island last summer because of the recession and others are expected to follow this year.

The Cultural Association has been one group fighting for more rights for long-term workers who may find themselves out of work and having to return to the Azores. They have asked for more flexibility in Bermuda's immigration and status rules.

Mr. Simao said: "It is difficult for many of these kids, most of them were born in Bermuda, and despite learning Portuguese from their parents they would normally speak English with their friends at school. English is the language mainly used in Bermuda.

"It is a lot easier for English, American or Jamaican children going back to their countries because they continue to speak English.'' Ms Tavares is making her first visit to Bermuda and said: "I have taught primary school children in the Azores for three years.

"This will be very different to what I am used to in the Azores. It will be quite a challenge.'' The official ribbon-cutting at the school took place with Portuguese Consul Mr. Francisco Correia doing the honours. Priest Father Albano Silva was also present.

A welcoming party for Ms Tavares attracted more than a hundred people on Sunday evening.

TAPE CUTTING -- Portuguese Consul Mr. Francisco Correia cuts the tape to open the Portuguese School, watched by Portuguese Cultural Association President Mr. Julio Simao and new teacher Ms Paula Tavares.