ex-teachers' union chief and Senator Milton Scott.

But Ms Smith said she will still speak on education issues in the House of Assembly while Sen. Scott runs the Ministry from the Upper House where he is Government Leader.

Ms Smith added: "Education is near and dear to my heart -- that is why I kept this portfolio in addition to my duties as Premier.'' She said she had met with teachers, parent-teacher organisations and school principals and had worked with Ministry staff over the four months since the PLP assumed power.

She said: "But one thing has become clear and that is that the needs, demands and challenges facing education are such that nothing less than the full-time attention of the Minister is warranted.'' Scott is Minister Ms Smith said she had signalled clearly when she named her Cabinet last November that she would not be able to carry out the role of Education Minister for "an indefinite period''.

Sen. Scott -- who clashed with the former Government on several occasions while General Secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers -- said his previous role would not cause him problems as Minister.

He said: "The fact that I am a teacher, that I have also been a trade unionist, I think I can build on that.'' Sen. Scott admitted: "I accept there will be some challenges and that there will be differences of opinion.

"We may part ways on some issues -- but, first and foremost we will all be acting in the interests of our children.'' Sen. Scott worked as a teacher in Michigan and Bermuda for around five years as a frontline teacher. He also worked for three years as a social worker dealing with teenagers.

Sen. Scott -- who contested the UBP stronghold of Paget East at the last General Election -- has been in the Upper House since 1993, serving as Opposition Senate leader and later as Government Senate leader.

He officially takes over his new job on Thursday -- but, as Minister without Portfolio, he does not need to be sworn in.

Ms Smith added that she felt it was important for her to gain "a personal insight from the new perspective of the Minister of Education''.

And she said: "This has made me even more passionate about ensuring that the changes that this new Government wants to put in place in education will be given the best possible attention.'' Ms Smith added: "I have set the foundation and framework for education. Sen.

Scott has worked alongside me for the past four months.

"Education will now gain a Minister who is able to give it more time than I have been able to do as Premier. I'm confident he will do an excellent job.'' Premier Jennifer Smith yesterday dropped her Education Ministry in favour of ex-teachers' union chief and Senator Milton Scott.

But Ms Smith said that she will still speak on education issues in the House of Assembly while Sen. Scott runs the ministry from the Upper House.

Ms Smith added: "Education is near and dear to my heart -- that is why I kept this portfolio in addition to my duties as Premier.'' She said she had met with teachers, parent-teacher organisations, school principals worked with Ministry staff over the four months since the PLP assumed power.

She admitted: "But one thing has become clear and that is that the needs, demands and challenges facing education are such that nothing less than the full-time attention of the Minister is warranted.'' Ms Smith said she had signalled clearly when she named her Cabinet last November that she would not be able to carry out the role of Education Minister for "an indefinite period.'' Sen. Scott -- who clashed with the then-Government on several occasions while General Secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers -- said his previous role would not cause him problems as Minister.

He said: "The fact that I am a teacher, that I have also been a trade unionist, I think I can build on that.'' Sen. Scott admitted: "I accept there will be some challenges and that there will be differences of opinion.

"We may part ways on some issues -- but, first and foremost we will all be acting in the interests of our children.'' The Senator worked as a teacher in Michigan, USA, and Bermuda for around five years as a frontline teacher. He also worked for three years as a social worker dealing with teenagers.

Sen. Scott -- who contested the UBP stronghold of Paget East at the last General Election -- has been in the Upper House since 1993, serving as Opposition Senate leader and later as Government Senate leader.

He officially takes over his new job on Thursday -- but, as Minister without Portfolio, he does not require to be sworn in.

Ms Smith added that she felt it was important for her to gain "a personal insight from the new perspective of the Minister of Education.'' And she said: "This has made me even more passionate about ensuring that the changes that this new Government wants to put in place in education will be given the best possible attention.'' Ms Smith added: "I have set the foundation and framework for education. Sen.

Scott has worked alongside me for the past four months.

"Education will now gain a Minister who is able to give it more time than I have been able to do as Premier. I'm confident he will do an excellent job.'' Premier Jennifer Smith Graphic file name: JENNI