Twenty young people whose formal education could have ended a year ago will be staying on at school thanks to a successful Bermuda College programme.

The College Discovery programme -- also called the Best Steps Programme -- was initially set up to prepare students for technical occupations.

But this year it was redesigned to upgrade the academic backgrounds of students who either did not graduate from high school or who graduated with low grades.

Now 20 students have decided to stay in education having taken part in the course.

Thirteen students will enter various College programmes after successfully completing the "College Discovery'' programme, one will travel to a college overseas and six will be staying in the programme to continue to improve their skills in math, reading and writing.

And programme coordinator Emancia Outerbridge claims the first year results -- especially the amount of students who will be staying in school as a result of the programme -- are very inspiring.

She said: "I am very satisfied that this programme is meeting the needs of students who are likely to be at risk.'' "I feel that it is fulfilling a vital need in the community -- the need to assist the under prepared for college programmes, to bridge the gap.

Five students want to complete the secretaries certificate, three are being considered for the telecommunications certificate, one for the associate degree, one for the culinary certificate, and three for pre-entry courses for the associate degree programme.

And Mrs. Outerbridge said she had no doubts that all the College Discovery students will all get into the programmes of their choice.

She said: "Students who are moving on to the next level are excited and optimistic. They are coming back full of confidence.'' Seventeen-year old Jakisha Douglas -- who was recommended to the programme after graduating from Whitney Institute -- is one of the programme's success stories.

Jakisha is now deciding whether to enter the College's associate degree programme or the general studies certificate programme.

But after completing either programme she plans to study abroad in order to become a computer technician, programmer and analyser.

She had rave reviews for the programme that helped her establish her goals, claiming it built up her confidence.

Jakisha said: "I would recommend the Best Steps Programme to anyone who needs to build their skills in order to get into another programme -- it is a great opportunity.

"Before I never liked math and I thought I'd never be able to do it. Now, it is a lot easier.

"Everyone was very helpful. The teachers and counsellors always told you to come and talk. They always made time for you,'' she added.

Jakisha also said that the students in the programme became very close.

"We all got along really well. You felt really comfortable around everybody,'' she explained.

Although Jakisha admitted the programme did not work for everyone.

She said: "A few dropped out, but most stuck to it, they knew what they needed to do and they pushed.

"The teachers and counsellors were sure you'd get through it,'' she added.

Mrs. Outerbridge explained that by the end of the first semester about half the students registered in the programme either withdrew or were asked to withdraw.

She said: "Even though life skills and counselling is a critical and integral part of the curriculum we do not have the resources at the college to cope with some the social and personal concerns of these students.

"One of the greatest challenges we have had is to maintain regular attendance. Even the students who have done well could have done better had they been in every class. "We can't help them if they are not here,'' she added.

The application process for next year's Best Steps Programme is currently underway.

Mrs. Outerbridge said: "We have done some revisions of course content and the instructors have had on-going professional development to assist them in meeting the needs of our students.''