May 26, 2006

Dear Sir,

Bim Bademosi is a male Bermudian teacher in the public school system which makes him a rarity. Not only is Mr. Bademosi a male Bermudian teacher, he is a black male Bermudian teacher in the public school system which makes him rarer still.

Mr. Bademosi has performed in events for Prince Charles and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. In addition, Bim is not only a teacher of music at one public school here in Bermuda, he teaches at two public schools, so the Bermuda education department is in essence getting a two for one deal by employing Bim.

I read with dismay in today's Royal Gazette that Bim's employment contract will not be renewed after August because he is uncertified. I guess in layman's terms this means that he is no longer qualified to teach music to the students at the two schools where he is currently employed.

To add insult to injury, it now appears that he is to be replaced by a Canadian teacher who does not hold the same level of qualifications as Mr. Bademosi.

This is a ridiculous stance and the Minister of Education Mr. Terry Lister needs to revisit this decision.

Mr. Bademosi is a man who has an excellent relationship with his students, and his students have great affinity and respect for him. He is a role model to his students. Mr. Bademosi worked for years in the music industry in London and has contributed his talents to the recordings of artists like Maxi Priest and Soul to Soul among others. But I guess because he is uncertified, he does not deserve to teach our under-served Bermuda students.

From where I sit this looks like another case of Government red tape preventing something positive from happening, or continuing to happen in this case.

The parents of these students are justifiably upset and I only hope that all of the affected parents of these students at the two schools where Mr. Bademosi teaches, make their voices heard loud and clear on this issue. If this decision is allowed to stand it will become very apparent to me, a lifetime PLP supporter, that my party has lost its way.

SYLVAN RICHARDS JR.

Paget