The National Training Board yesterday refused to comment on reports that four Bermudian students were sent back to the Island after a series of fights at a Barbados polytechnic.

Bermuda's Government brought them home from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, according to Nation News in Barbados.

The newspaper said eyewitnesses had reported seven fights broke out at about 10.30 a.m. on March 20, and that a cutlass had been brandished in one incident.

Samuel Jackman principal Wendel Cozier was quoted as saying there had been two incidents, the first involving Barbadians and Bermudians in a dispute over a piece of jewellery.

Mr. Cozier is said to have claimed the Bermudians complained to him about the matter at 11 a.m., but left before a resolution was found.

A second incident, which involved only Bermudian students, took place about 90 minutes later. No weapons were used, according to Mr. Cozier.

Yesterday, the polytechnic directed The Royal Gazette to a press officer, who said our questions over the incident would be answered today.

The NTB referred this newspaper to Home Affairs and Labour Minister Sen. David Burch, who said in a statement last night that he was aware of the incident, but would not comment further on the incident until he received a formal report.

About a year ago, this newspaper reported how the NTB was sponsoring 13 students at the institution on a variety of courses, including horticulture, computer repairs, carpentry and auto body repairs.

The previous year, five Bermudian students dropped out because their marine engineering course was not ready.

On a visit to Barbados around the time of last year's Cricket World Cup, Premier Ewart Brown was given a tour of the polytechnic and met the NTB-sponsored students. "I urged them to obtain the highest certification available here in Barbados and then come home and find employment," he said then.