applicants for teaching jobs in Government schools.

"There were just not enough positions for the applicants this year,'' Senior Education Officer Mr. Robert Horton said.

"In the past, it was the case that almost any Bermudian who came forward got a job. But for the first time we are seeing a surplus in teachers. At the primary level, the teaching profession is almost 100 percent Bermudianised.'' One reason for the surplus, Mr. Horton said, was less Bermudians were retiring from the profession because they were happy with working conditions. "The teaching population is very young now,'' he noted. "Only four teachers retired last year because they were 65.'' He said another reason was too many high school leavers were opting to study early childhood education instead of senior or middle school education -- areas in which it takes longer to acquire degrees.

Thirty-two Bermudians had applied for 20 available teaching positions, mostly in the primary schools, Mr. Horton said.

The 12 applicants who were turned down were all qualified, holding both degrees and teacher certificates.

The department was able to offer four of them long-term substitute teaching positions, Mr. Horton added. But the rest will have to wait until vacancies arise.

"This academic year we had the luxury of being able to select from the applicants based on interviews and their grades,'' he said. "Before, any Bermudian with the academic qualifications was virtually guaranteed a job.'' Mr. Horton urged anyone planning a teaching career to make an appointment with the Ministry to talk to an official about their plans.

"We don't want to discourage going into the teaching profession. We just recommend that those interested come in and talk to us about their plans so they are absolutely sure they are making the best possible decision.''