Bermudians at minor colleges in the United States. We were pleased to see this week that headmaster and activist Mr. Dale Butler agreed with us. Mr. Butler said exactly what we have been saying.

In a speech to the Hamilton Lions Club he asked why an increasing number of young Bermudians were graduating from little known US colleges which accept virtually everyone? Mr. Butler said the result is that Bermuda's employers are left with the dilemma of whether to hire Bermudians with mediocre qualifications.

"Bermudianisation is no reason for incompetence,'' he said. "We have to have standards.'' He also warned the Bermuda College against dropping its entry requirements simply because Bermudians fail to attain them.

For years now this newspaper has pointed out that far too many Bermudians who could gain admission to good schools wind up attending minor schools in the United States.

The result is that young Bermudians return home with high expectations but armed with a piece of paper which qualifies them for very little. They try to enter the workforce and are often rejected because their college has failed to educate them but they are angered because they think "the system'' in Bermuda rejects them. Almost inevitably, the result is dashed expectations.

It is hard enough in this more and more complex world to get ahead even if you are well prepared. There is a glamour attached to attending college abroad and Bermudian parents always want good things for their children. But too often they work and save to send their children to schools which fail them. Not every US college is of value. Sadly, many of them simply take your money and waste your time and the major benefit comes from the experience of living abroad for a few years.

A young person returns home having enjoyed their four years, partly because they were not asked to work very hard, and are angry when "the system'' in Bermuda does not welcome them to the work force and reward them with a good job. In reality, their college has taken their time and someone's money and given them little in return.

Mr. Butler asked why this is happening.

We think some of the attendance at minor schools comes about because of poor guidance counselling although we note that Mr. Butler does not seem to agree with that. Some of the poor choices are made by parents who feel that their children will be less exposed to sex and drugs and rock and roll in religious schools.

Then there seems to be a misconception that if it is overseas, it is good, which fails to recognise the gigantic disparity in American schools.

Some of the problem is caused by the promotion of some of these schools by churches and even by politicians like the Rev. Trevor Woolridge MP.

There is also a lack of understanding that many Bermudians would get a better education at Bermuda College.

We think that some Bermudians are sent abroad after failing to meet the admittance requirements of the College, although they could enter a remedial or foundation programme.

What concerns us most is that both Bermudians and Bermuda are being short changed by these choices. Too often talented and capable Bermudians waste their time and someone's money on a poor education when they are capable of achieving a good education. That results in Bermuda being deprived of the well prepared Bermudians it needs for an increasingly demanding workplace. It also results in angry Bermudians who need not be angry.