A Bermudian educator has filed a job-discrimination complaint with the Human Rights Commission against the Bermuda College because she claims that she was turned down for three jobs that were given to less qualified people.

Dr. Muriel Smith, whose problems were highlighted in a story carried in the November 29 issue of the Workers Voice, tutors students privately while she awaits the outcome.

And Shadow Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott has called on Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness -- who did not return repeated calls from The Royal Gazette yesterday -- to investigate the matter and make its results public.

In a letter to Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer, Dr. Smith, who holds a doctorate in Educational Administration from Miami University, said she applied for the Director of Extension position at the Bermuda College in 1982.

"I was overlooked for this position,'' she claimed, "and it was given to someone, who according to my criteria which was based on international standards, was less qualified than I.'' Fourteen years later in 1996, she answered an advertisement for the position of Vice-president Academic and Student Affairs but said she did not even make the short list.

"The college has not announced the successful candidate yet,'' her letter continued. "There are qualified, competent and committed Bermudians available for the position.

"Consequently, it is my firm belief that a work permit should not be given to a non-Bermudian.

"If there are no Bermudians available, then, and only then, would I agree with a work permit being granted to a non-Bermudian providing that a Bermudian was appointed at the same time as the successful candidate's understudy, for a period not to exceed three years.'' Last October, the Bermuda College advertised for a Curriculum Consultant and she applied.

On November 6, the Associate Dean for Applied Studies told her she was not successful on the basis that she was not familiar with curriculum development.

"This was quite insulting and it showed me that Mr. Smith knows very little about the requirements and competencies acquired in a doctoral program,'' she wrote. "He also indicated that I had not been involved in curriculum development since I graduated in 1978.

"How could I have been involved in curriculum development when I was overlooked continually for lesser qualified Bermudians and non-Bermudians?'' Dr. Smith claimed that there were only two applicants for the job and the other person was the wife of the dean of the Technical Education Centre -- the same department in which the vacancy arose.

"If my information serves me correctly I do not believe that she has her doctorate in curriculum and development. I also believe that she is a non-Bermudian.

"Is this another case of a position being tailor made for someone namely the Dean's wife?'' When contacted, no-one from the Bermuda College was prepared to comment yesterday.

However Mr. Scott, who received a copy of the letter that Dr. Smith sent to the Immigration Department, said:"I have learned that she has been turned down for each of these positions. I do not know whether she has been given any explanation.

"I would think that she is eminently qualified and she certainly should be considered. I can't, based on what I have read so far, see any reason why she should not be given consideration.

"I would not expect a non-Bermudian to be placed over her. If that is the case then she is entitled to a full explanation from the Bermuda College and the Immigration Minister who permitted the non-Bermudian to be successful.

"Once that is all out in the open, we can then make a judgment as to whether her case has been fairly and justly addressed.'' National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers said he was disturbed to learn of the difficulties Dr. Smith is undergoing.

"I have known Dr. Smith since we were children,'' he said. "We went to Berkeley together and I know her dedication and her sincerity. But I also know that she is a no-nonsense person.

"There's seems to be in private industry and Government a concern about people who are not prepared to go along with the programme. Unfortunately these people end up getting shut out.

"No one wants a disruption to their own cozy little situation.'' BERMUDA COLLEGE EDC EDUCATION ED