Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith on Friday defended his initiative of free college tuition for high school graduates in exchange for good grades, good attendance and a drug-free lifestyle.

The former Education Minister slammed present Minister Milton Scott's stance not to offer the plan or a similar one. "The Minister fails to even offer an alternative plan.'' Mr. Scott revealed on Thursday that the present Government would not support the programme which saw the Ministry footing all tuition costs at the Bermuda College for high school students in the public system who maintained a 95 percent and above attendance record, at least a B average and who agreed to drug testing.

Mr. Scott pointed out that the Bermuda College is already heavily subsidised by taxpayer dollars.

Mr. Smith on Friday said the plan was implemented by the UBP Government as "a genuine effort to reward those students that performed well in secondary school''. He added: "Parents will undoubtedly be disheartened by the Minister's lack of vision.'' Mr. Smith questioned what was wrong with the plan and added "students themselves were motivated to do the right thing and parents too.'' He said parents "had a financial incentive to ensure their children attended school.'' Drawing attention to the benefits of the scheme, Mr. Smith noted that "a child not in secondary school is missing tremendous opportunities to meet friends, learn new things and secure employment after the formal education.'' Mr. Smith also warned that "a child who does not attend classes, maintain good grades and stay free of drugs, increases the risk of not getting into college or securing work.'' EDUCATION ED