Peters to return to the Island as president of Bermuda College.

The Royal Gazette revealed yesterday how Dr. Peters, who was vice-president until his contract was cut short last June, planned to apply for the post of interim president this week.

But his proposal may have come as a surprise to some.

Before he left, he publicly slammed the Education Ministry and said it should be disbanded for providing students with a sub-standard education.

And he said he would have been quite happy to see out the remaining six months of his contract, but was offered an $85,000 pay-off and asked to leave.

Premier Jennifer Smith later said his contract had been brought to an end once Dr. Larita Alford had been found to replace him because morale at the college was low.

Yesterday, Dr. Alford, who is Acting President at the college, said she was not available for comment.

Former president Dr. George Cook, who left in February and worked alongside Dr. Peters for some time, was stern when he said: "I have absolutely no comment. I have no comment to make, whatsoever.'' And Education Minister Milton Scott also refused to comment on Dr. Peters attempt at returning to Bermuda, and skirted around the issue, only saying: "It's not for me to speak on the college. It is for chairman Jan Spiering.

"But, under the Bermuda College Act, this is a matter they are required to consult me on and I will be taking this responsibility seriously.'' However, Mr. Spiering would also not be drawn on Dr. Peters' application and would neither confirm or deny that one had already been submitted.

He said: "I have really no comment. It's a private process that we have and if he was to apply, then despite what he may wish to say, I would respect the private and confidential nature of the process itself.

"But everybody is eligible to apply.'' Dr. Peters said he had been encouraged to apply for the interim three-year post by friends and colleagues at the college.

And he said he would love the opportunity to return to the Island and the college.

However, he said he was under no illusion that he would simply walk into the job.

He said: "I always maintained that Bermuda College was a college of tremendous potential and the students in Bermuda were wonderful. But I think what they need is someone who believes in them and helps them to be successful.

"I have no clue if I will be successful or not. That depends on the powers that be. I don't know what they will think.

"But I'm an educator, and I think we all want the same outcome for the students in Bermuda.

"I am definitely going to apply.''