Teachers already working in the public school system have been asked by the Department of Education to produce evidence of their qualifications.

A memo sent to all school staff on November 4, obtained by The Royal Gazette, asks them to provide copies of degrees and certificates — but doesn't explain why the information isn't already on file.

Cheryl Burrows, the department's human resources senior manager, states in the memo: "In auditing our personnel files, we have noticed that many persons have not provided the human resource section with copies of their degrees, certificates, etc. and their Bermuda Educators Licence. In an attempt to ensure that our records are up to date, please provide us with the above-mentioned documents."

A spokeswoman did not respond yesterday to questions about why the Department of Education lacked the information, whether all teachers had their degrees verified upon being hired and how many had failed to provide proof of qualifications.

By law, teachers cannot take a job in a school on the Island unless they are registered by Bermuda Educators Council (BEC) — though there can be exemptions when there is a shortage in a subject area.

In order to be registered, they must hold a university degree or equivalent qualification granted by an institution recognised by BEC.

They must also have successfully completed a course of initial training for teachers in schools at an institution recognised by the council.

One teacher, who asked not to be identified, questioned yesterday why the Ministry was asking for copies of qualifications, when Bermuda Educators Council would already need to have seen such documentation in order to give out licences.

"This says a great deal about the inefficiencies of our human resource department. This is why the BEC was created — to clean up their mess. What if this were a hospital?"

Asked yesterday if the memo was of concern, Holly Richardson, president of the Association of School Principals, said: "We trust that the Department of Education has gone through the process, the employment process that they follow in selecting staff.

"That's what we depend on. We are depending on them to do that."

A BEC spokeswoman declined to comment. No one at Bermuda Union of Teachers could be reached for comment.