Veteran educator Randolph Benjamin yesterday claimed that his future in education was hanging in limbo.

And he blamed both the Education Department and the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

The Northlands deputy principal, who applied for one of three deputy principal posts at Cedarbridge Academy in July, told The Royal Gazette the Department was disregarding his 35 years of service by requiring he and 16 other applicants to take a test.

The Department decided to use the test, from Government Personnel Services, after receiving an unexpectedly high number of applications.

Applicants' performance on the test, which deals with occupational personality and aptitude, will be considered along with their curriculum vitae, a letter stating why they were best for the job, and their performance in interviews.

Education's senior manager of Human Resources Ray Latter explained that the selection process -- which is expected to be completed tomorrow for deputy principals -- was to ensure that the Department had the best people for the job.

But Mr. Benjamin -- who has threatened to take legal action against the Ministry -- pointed out that the principal of Cedarbridge Academy, Ernest Payette, and education officers and middle school principals with less experience did not have to take the test.

And he stressed that the Ministry never mentioned tests to the applicants until late last month.

Mr. Latter has stated that the Department was not aware of the test at the time Mr. Payette was hired.

He also noted that the senior school principal had gone through "an extremely vigorous process'' before being hired.

However, Mr. Benjamin argued that the Department already had "checks and balances'' in place to assess teachers' performances.

And in a letter to The Editor, Mr. Benjamin stressed that he refused to take the test because: He saw no relevance in its substance to the job he had to do on a daily basis; He was awaiting a response from union representatives as to the result of their grievance procedure; and The unethical manner in which he believed the test had been handled.

"I am very much aware of tests and testing procedures,'' he wrote. "I also am aware of the uses and/or functions of many different aptitude tests.

"One element of testing though is that they should not be a surprise, nor should they be to trick or fool people.

"... I have applied for a parallel position to the one I have been doing successfully since 1972, longer than any administrator in the secondary school system in Bermuda. I have been evaluated every year and re-appointed every three years. Was that in error?'' Mr. Benjamin also pointed out that he was "not completely happy with the union representatives''.

last week Tuesday to discuss a grievance procedure about the situation.

He was waiting to learn (from BUT president Michael Charles and organiser Milton Scott) the result of the meeting before deciding on his next course of action, he added.

"I would have thought they would have at least contacted me,'' Mr. Benjamin said. "But they left the Island, knowing the situation I'm in, without a word. "I have to know where I stand legally and according to the document that governs my employment.'' Both Mr. Charles and Sen. Scott, who could not be reached for comment, were expected to return to the Island today.

And while Dr. Christopher declined to comment on the outcome of last week's meeting, he said the BUT had brought a general grievance to the Ministry and he responded to it in a letter to the union.

He also confirmed that the issue of the late notice about the aptitude test was raised by the union.

However, Dr. Christopher defended use of the test, stating it was one process in the selection of applicants and that according to the Department of Personnel Services research showed that such assessments were useful in evaluating persons for such posts.

Dr. Christopher also declined to comment on whether or not Mr. Benjamin's experience as an educator should have any bearing on his application.