Berkeley Institute will take on three new teachers in January as a stopgap measure to address its staff shortage problem.

In an advertisement in The Royal Gazette last week the school invited applications from "suitably qualified teachers'' who can teach computers studies up to the GCE (General Certificate of Education) "O'' level, family studies up to level five of the BSSC (Bermuda Secondary School Certificate), and/or physics up to the GCE "O'' level.

Applications for the part-time positions must be submitted by December 29.

And Berkeley PTSA president Wilfreda Lightbourne said she welcomed the part-time positions.

"I'm pleased to know that the Education Minister and staff have taken the initial step that we were seeking,'' she said.

"We were really looking for full-time teachers, but at this point we will take whatever we can get right now because we have fifth-year students who have to take the BSSC and GCE exams,'' Mrs. Lightbourne said.

Physics and computer teachers were particularly needed, she added.

Both Mrs. Lightbourne and chairman of the school's board of governors, Calvin White, said they were satisfied with temporary measure.

"This is something that parents have rallied behind us for,'' Mrs.

Lightbourne added. "It is an excellent example of what the PTSA can do when we sit down and have one-on-one discussion with the Education Ministry.'' Last month, parents -- at an emergency meeting at the school -- expressed concerns that some of the students were forced to attend overcrowded classes or not take some classes at all due to the shortage of teachers.

The shortage is a result of the declining admissions to the school as it prepares to become one of the Island's two senior secondary schools.

Berkeley admitted its last class of first-year students in September, 1996, resulting in declining enrolment -- and cuts in staff.