An increasing number of students have been suspended from the public school system.

According to Education Department statistics released to The Royal Gazette yesterday, 316 youngsters were suspended in the 1993/94 school year, 368 the next year, and 463 during the last school year -- 1995/96.

And suspensions so far for this school year -- from September 1996 to April 1997 -- totalled 365.

But expulsions for the same periods were much lower at one, eight, three, and two, respectively.

Once a student has been expelled from the school system, the Education Department is no longer responsible for them, Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher said.

The Adult Education School's administrator Julie Beach said the school was receiving calls from some parents.

But she said the school was set up to assist those 16 years and older.

And Mrs. Beach said while the school had taken in "a few 15-year-olds'', the Education Department had instructed them to no longer do so.

"We have had a number of inquiries from parents,'' she said, "but since we are telling them this, there have not been as many.'' Dr. Christopher explained that the Department instructed the school not to take in students under the age of 16 because it was not registered for that purpose.

Asked whether the Department offers guardians of underage expelled students advice, he said: "There is no formal advice given. Once that person is expelled they are no longer the responsibility of the Department of Education.'' But Dr. Christopher said if the guardians asked for advice a response was given on an individual basis.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Beach said the school was still receiving calls from parents of students in the public and private school system.

"We have a number (about five) of students lined up for September who are not happy with the idea of CedarBridge and some who know the system is not working for their children,'' she noted.

"But we have also had a few out of private schools. Because if you have a 15-year-old coming out of private school, they are reluctant to go into the public school system because they have not taken the BSSC (Bermuda Secondary School Certificate).'' The Adult Education School tries to take in no more than 40 students in its daytime programme in order to maintain a low student-teacher ratio.

"We only have four tutors in the day so we take no more than 40,'' Mrs. Beach said. "This way we know they will be in a smaller class and get individual attention.'' However, Mrs. Beach said the school was not and did not want to become a dumping ground for children with problems.

And she added: "We are getting students who want to learn, but cannot in the regular classroom setting.'' In addition to daytime classes, the school offers afternoon and evening programmes. The optional afternoon programme, offers more one-on-one tutoring, Mrs. Beach explained.