A single mother is at her wits end after learning her daughter's scholarship to Bermuda College is in doubt.

Marlene Bean told The Royal Gazette the harrowing experience she has had with the Department of Education in trying to find out the status of her daughter's scholarship.

Jonakia Bean was president of the student government at CedarBridge Academy and was so outstanding that she was elected to represent the school at two overseas youth conferences.

School principal Kalmar Richards last night hailed her as an excellent student: "Jonakia has been an exemplary student and performed her role as head of student government superbly.'' Jonakia's mother said her daughter was told in late May she was the recipient of one of 20 scholarships given by the Ministry of Education to attend Bermuda College.

The controversial scholarships originated under the previous UBP Government and were eventually sanctioned by PLP Minister Milton Scott after an outcry from parents. The full-tuition scholarships were to be offered to students who maintained at least a "B'' average and had a 95 percent attendance record.

Mrs. Bean last night said that after a week of trying to get answers from the Ministry she is upset. "I am very angry and hurt about the way they are treating us. Nobody tells us anything.'' she explained. "I call and when I get someone they say they cannot tell me anything, it's been a whole week now.

"Not even the Minister can tell me anything. I spoke to Milton Scott today and he was acting like why are you calling me?'' she said. "He told me that he's not in the place where he can get to that information and he would call me back this afternoon, but it's way after 7 p.m. now and I still haven't heard from him.'' Mrs. Bean revealed that after being passed from department to department and person to person -- and even hung up on -- someone at the Ministry told her yesterday her that her daughter doesn't actually have the scholarship, but they wouldn't explain why.

"I called and they said they couldn't give the information out and they passed me from person to person and then finally a woman with a Jamaican accent told me that she (Jonakia) wouldn't get it. But nobody would tell me how come.

"It's like it's all false pretence to me.'' Mrs. Bean charged. "Mr. Scott did this under false pretence.'' Mother seeks lost scholarship Pointing out the hardships of being a single parent and dealing with the child's "deadbeat dad'', Mrs. Bean said she doesn't have the money to send her daughter to college.

"Am I going to have to tell my daughter she cannot go? I will have to go and beg for the money or try and borrow money.

"I would have made other arrangements, I could have done something else if I knew she didn't have the scholarship but now the school fees are due and classes start next week.'' Jonakia, who spent the summer working in a photo shop, said she's saved almost half-a-year's tuition but had been expecting to be on scholarship.

She has been accepted into the Business Admin. Associate Degree programme and noted the Dean had just called her to notify her that her grades were better than expected and that she could take more challenging courses.

Education Minister Milton Scott could not be reached last night. Chief Education Officer Dr. Joseph Christopher said he knew nothing about the matter.

EDUCATION ED