A motor mechanics teacher, who was suspended from St. George's Secondary for allegedly fighting a student, has returned to the school.

And a source told The Royal Gazette the school's principal and "most of the staff'' were very upset.

Mr. Llewellyn Trott was suspended from the school after a "near riot'' broke out in a class he was teaching last December.

It was alleged that he struck a pupil as some 15 other students gathered around.

Police were called to the school, but they said the school did not want them to carry out any investigation.

At that time, Chief Education Officer, Mr. Dean Furbert, said a full probe had been launched by his department into the incident.

"We have to wait until the investigation is complete to find out exactly what happened,'' he said.

St. George's Secondary school heads declined to comment on the incident at the time and were unavailable when contacted.

Mr. Furbert also could not be reached for comment.

But general secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT), Mr. Milton Scott, said both the teachers' union and Mr. Trott were glad that the ordeal was over.

In fact, the BUT took out an advertisement in last Wednesday's paper, welcoming Mr. Trott back to the school.

"The teachers and students at St. George's Secondary School missed you,'' it also stated.

When contacted about the matter, Mr. Scott said: "The charges were not proven so Mr. Trott has been exonerated. It was a trying period. He's glad to get back there and we're glad he's back.'' While noting that the BUT did not normally comment on disciplinary matters involving teachers, Mr. Scott said: "We felt it was put out there in the public domain and therefore the closure should also be made public.'' A full tribunal hearing was carried out under the Public Service Commission and the charges against Mr. Trott were not proven, Mr. Scott added.

He also hit out at an anonymous letter written to the Editor in Friday's paper.

The writer, who signed the letter "Not A Happy Apple'', said: "We have not been told why the Bermuda Union of Teachers has chosen to celebrate the unpopular return to St. George's Secondary of Mr. Llewllyn Trott after months of paid suspension? "Is he to be allowed to remain in the classroom even though he does not have a degree or a single education qualification?'' But Mr. Scott said Mr. Trott was qualified for his position at St. George's Secondary under the Education Act.

There were several positions in the school system requiring no formal qualifications, he added.

"Generally speaking, throughout Bermuda we have people in senior positions, running departments without degrees,'' Mr. Scott said. "Even in the Education Ministry there are people in administrative positions without formal degrees.''