Six Bermudian educators were honoured with commemorative stamps for the first time.

Yesterday the stamps were unveiled at the General Post Office with great fanfare.

The educators Edith and Matilda Crawford, May Francis, Millie Neversen, Francis L. Patton and Adele Tucker have been celebrated as Pioneers of Progress in five stamps. These are the second set of stamps issued in the pioneers series.

Three Government Ministers gave speeches while students from Francis Patton Primary, Paget Primary and Victor Scott Primary performed a medley of musical instruments.

Minister of Public Safety and Housing, Col. David Burch, said it was his pleasure to work with the staff who created the stamps and that it was important to recognise individuals who made Bermuda what it is today.

The Bermuda Postal service now comes under Col. Burch's ministry. Finance Minister Paula Cox, who up until recently was in charge of the postal service, said she was amazed at the dedication of the staff and proud to say that the initiative began under her ministry.

Education Minister Randy Horton said it was important for students to realise the hard work that went into education and the importance of recognising one's history.

Dame Jennifer Smith, who was part of the stamp design advisory committee said the all Primary school educators on the Island would be able to avail of a booklet, free from the Ministry, that would show them how to use stamps in lessons and give a history of those honoured in the stamps.

Ms. Neverson first taught at the Berkeley Institute in 1921 before opening the Excelsior Secondary School in 1925 and the Haven, a refuge for homeless and needy children, with Edith Crawford in 1948. She was awarded an MBE, the Coronation Medal and a citation from His Holiness Pope Paul for her contributions to Bermuda.

Edith Crawford and Matilda Crawford are cousins who, after founding Alaska Hall school and the Till's Hill Primary, respectively, joined the schools to form the Central Primary School. Along with Adele Tucker and Rev. Rufus J. Stovell they founded Bermuda Union of Teachers in 1919.

Edith Crawford was awarded the MBE in 1953 and she will be featured along with Matilda on one stamp.

After graduating from Columbia University, May Francis started teaching at St. Alban School in Pembroke and eventually became the Headmistress of Elliot School.

In 1948 she founded Bermuda's first vocational school, the Girls Institute of Arts and after popular demand when she retired from teaching, she opened the Paget Glebe Art Centre.

Francis Patton graduated from Warwick Academy, the University of Toronto and Princeton Theological Seminary before he eventually became the twelfth President of Princeton Theological Seminary in 1888. In 1950, Francis Patton Primary school was named in his honour for his achievements in education.

Adele Tucker is one of the most remarkable citizens of Bermuda because of her great contributions to education, numerous government, private and community organisations.

Ms Tucker began her 50 year teaching career in 1884 at Jarius Swan's school in Pembroke and in 1901 was the head teacher of the Paget Glebe School and a founding member of the Bermuda Union of Teachers in 1919. She was also awarded the MBE Civil Division Medal.