lack of qualified staff.

But it is expected to bring in a Barbadian by the end of the month to teach French and Spanish.

In a letter to parents, sent out last month, Whitney's principal Gail Graham disclosed that the school has been without a foreign languages teacher since the end of November last year.

"The teacher who was employed, retired at the end of December and we have been unable to find a replacement,'' she wrote.

"The position has been advertised both locally and abroad with no success.

"Currently, we are unable to continue the foreign language programme. I regret this interruption to our course offerings and assure you that I will continue my efforts to find a qualified foreign teacher.'' Mrs. Graham told The Royal Gazette the situation had been resolved.

A Barbadian teacher, who was interviewed a couple of years ago for another position, was expected to arrive on the Island at the end of the month and was expected to begin teaching both French and Spanish on March 9, she said.

Mrs. Graham further explained that parents were informed that the school could not find a local teacher who could teach both French and Spanish so they had to look abroad.

"We expect that teacher to be here by the end of February, providing that all goes well with Immigration,'' she said. "We should be back on track shortly after that.'' She also noted that all parents were notified of the situation in the school's newsletter and will be brought up to date in the next one.