number of people have contacted the Ministry of Education to find out more.

It will be the first time people will have been able to qualify as teachers without leaving the Island, and, with the course being held in the evenings and at weekends, students can remain in their present jobs.

The ministry is still in negotiation with an overseas college, which it is refusing to name, to discuss the possibility of setting up a partnership with Bermuda to run the course.

Education Minister Senator Milton Scott refused to comment on the course further as discussions were on-going, but it is believed he is very encouraged so far by the interest people have shown.

If the course is agreed, it could be underway by August or September this year.

Sen. Scott said that he hoped the course would enable those people unable to leave the Island the opportunity to become teachers.

And he said the course would hopefully help to meet the shortfall of teachers in Bermuda.

He said earlier: "In the past, Bermudians had to go overseas if they wanted to become qualified to teach.

"This is an expensive process, and many people don't want to leave their families and friends, even if they can afford it.

"We know there is a world wide shortage of teachers. At the moment, we are having some challenges in recruiting teachers from the UK, North America and the Caribbean.

"But how much better it will be when we can develop and train Bermudians for these jobs and build capacity here on the Island.'' The minister said he would not reveal which college he was in talks with, but promised it was a premier post-secondary institution, which provided strong professional education and delivered training globally.

He believes the course will cost students under $7,000, but he said the ministry was looking to reduce that cost as much as possible.

There will be about 30 places on the course, and all students will have to do 300 hours of teaching practise on a school placement.

It is believed the course will be held at Bermuda College, although nothing has been confirmed, and it is understood the ministry has had discussions about the project with the college Acting President Dr. Larita Alford.

President of the Bermuda Union of Teachers Michael Charles welcomed the move to provide teaching training on the Island, but said the ministry should ensure that the overseas college was of excellent standing, and said the students should not only become qualified to teach in Bermuda, but in other countries too.

However, Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith said Government should be spending less time and money on providing the course, and more on improving salaries and teacher morale.