Government is setting up an audit to tackle overmanning at Bermuda College after Education Minister Milton Scott admitted there were still pockets of sloppiness.

And he hit back at claims by outgoing College vice president in The Royal Gazette yesterday that nothing was being done about time-serving idlers.

Senator Scott said the college afforded Dr. Peters a good job in assisting him in his personal and professional life.

"He should be a little more constructive than that,'' said Senator Scott.

"But I fully endorse that some positions may not be needed, that's one of the reasons consultation is currently going on between the college management and myself.'' He said a Curriculum Management Audit would go over the running of the college.

He said: "It is having its terms of reference set up now. It will look at how programmes were meeting the college's vision and if they could be better run.

"They are a highly skilled group of individuals - improvements are already in hand. I don't know how quickly it can be done but I would like it sooner rather than later.

"Dr. Peters talked about pockets of sloppiness, but it was not brought to my attention otherwise it would have been addressed.

"Maybe they did go to board level but they didn't reach my level.'' And Senator Scott denied Dr. Peter's claim that the college's politically appointed board was affecting the way the college was run.

"The board is a reflection of the community and some of the board will take great offence with the suggestion they are political appointees.

"Religion and political considerations are not a factor in appointing the board or employing individuals or whether staff should be retained.

"He talked about how it could be run. I am always open to change and how it could be managed more effectively.

"But I don't necessarily believe the model is flawed... we are looking to enhance and improve as we go on.'' However the Minister said it was his general principle that he would not interfere in micro management unless bosses at educational establishments proved incapable of running it themselves.

"That's not appeared at Bermuda College at all.'' Mr. Scott took issue with Dr. Peter's claim that Bermudianisation was hurting the education process.

He said Dr. Peters should have emphasised the positive things coming out of the college, including the higher percentage of males who graduated this year.

College Board Chairman and Government backbencher Randy Horton denied the college was debt-ridden.

He said: "Bermuda College is working on an even basis with money we get from Government and fees.'' And he said there was little new in what Dr. Peters had said. Mr. Horton said the College was concerned that money spent -- equivalent to $10,000 per pupil -- was spent wisely.

"The audit will be done early next year and then we'll know exactly where we are going and if people should not be there they won't be there. "On Bermudianisation I will take exception to what in essence is a visitor, who benefited from the experience in Bermuda that will help his professional development, say Bermudianisation is failing the education system.'' He said Bermudianisation was in the Bermuda College act and the Constitution.

He said: "It's the policy everywhere in Bermuda. I would challenge anyone to say it's that policy that is reaping havoc in the education system.'' Asked whether a politically appointed board would always be a problem Mr.

Horton said: "That's his view. Other places have politically appointed boards.

"The board is not just PLP -- we have cross section. Obviously some are staunch PLP supporters. It would be naive not to think so.

"It's unfortunate if people think those people behave in a political way. We want to move forward.'' Opposition Education spokesman Tim Smith said: "We support a more independent Bermuda College. It is unfortunate we have a Government MP as Chairman - it's not the best way to promote neutrality.

"If we could depoliticise education all the way through Bermuda would be better served. "I think any keen observer would have seen political activity at Bermuda College intensify in the run up to the last election. Messages and inferences were clearly aligned with the PLP.''