for special scholarships to Bermuda College actually received them.

And at least one parent is demanding a public apology from the Education Ministry.

Education Minister Milton Scott disclosed the figures to The Royal Gazette last night after it was claimed that none of the 20 had received the award.

"That is simply untrue,'' Sen. Scott said. "We at the Ministry received 34 forms (applications), 20 from CedarBridge and 14 from Berkeley.

"Four from CedarBridge and 11 from Berkeley met the requirements.'' Sen. Scott came under fire yesterday when Marlene Bean expressed her frustration with trying to find out the status of her daughter, Jonakia Bean's scholarship.

Mrs. Bean complained earlier about the "run around'' she had been given by the Minister and his Ministry in trying to obtain the information.

Jonakia, who was president of the student government at CedarBridge, received a final cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0. But Sen. Scott has stated that only her GPA in her fifth year mattered. Jonakia fell short in her fifth year, earning a 2.7 GPA.

Her mother yesterday called for a public apology to be made to both she and her daughter.

Mrs. Bean said. "It is not fair that she was told she had the award and then at this late stage to learn she doesn't.

"I called (Premier) Jennifer Smith yesterday (Tuesday) about this, but have not heard back from her at all.'' Mrs. Bean said she called the Premier because of her pledges of excellence in education for all Bermudian children.

Mrs. Bean also revealed that since the initial article in The Royal Gazette about her daughter's situation she has been inundated with calls from concerned members of the public.

"I don't even know these people,'' she said "but many of them want to know how they can help.'' Surprised at the outpouring of support for her plight Mrs. Bean said she was also surprised to learn that several other parents shared her problem.

"I'm surprised it's not only me out there in this predicament,'' she said.

"The whole thing requires a public apology.'' EDUCATION ED