Three union members will sit on the education board implementing the Hopkins report — but the person put forward by Bermuda Union of Teachers has already been rejected by the Ministry of Education.

Education Minister Randolph Horton last night revealed BUT, the Association of School Principals and Bermuda Public Services Union have each been asked to submit one name for the interim board.

His statement followed repeated criticism that there has been no official union representation on the board.

However, BUT president Keisha Douglas responded last night by saying her union had selected its own representative after a vote — but that person was not accepted by the union.

The Ministry said in a statement last night: "The Minister has already asked the ASP and BUT to submit names for consideration to serve on the interim education board. The BPSU will be asked to do the same."

Ms Douglas told The Royal Gazette: "Back in December, we received a letter from the former Permanent Secretary inviting us to submit a name. By executive decision, we voted on a name and sent that name in before Christmas.

"We received a letter from the new Permanent Secretary rejecting our name and asked us to submit other names."

She said no reason was given for the rejection of the name.

Mr. Horton also responded to concerns Mr. Ball had raised over planned changes to the terms and conditions of the employment of the union's membership.

"Quite simply we can't and we won't make any changes to the conditions of employment without consulting with the union," said the Minister.

He said he had "absolutely no intention" of going against the international labour organisation conventions — another concern raised by Mr. Ball.

Mr. Horton added: "The education of Bermuda's children is of the utmost importance to me and all those who work in this Ministry. We will continue to consult with the union and will seek their input as members of the IEB and various committees established under the IEB."

Regarding representation on the interim board, Mr. Ball said in a press release on Monday: "We can only infer from the Minister's comments (last week) that he will converse with the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Association of School Principals and the BPSU this week regarding the appointment of at least one representative from these three unions to sit on the interim education board."