programme targeted at young people, adults and prisoners.

Opposition and Independent senators said the General Education Development programme provided a valuable service.

And on Wednesday they asked Government Senate Leader the Hon. Gerald Simons to explain why the scheme had been ended.

Sen. Neletha (Honey) Butterfield (PLP) said the Adult Education School and C.A.R.E. Computer Services had been able to help people through the programme.

She asked Sen. Simons: "In light of the fact that the GED testing programme will no longer be offered at Bermuda College, what plans has the Ministry of Education made to assist students who have failed high school and later wish to get a high school diploma?'' Sen. Norma Astwood (Ind) said the GED had been a useful source of "alternative education''.

"It has served us well.'' Sen. Alf Oughton (Ind) urged the Education Ministry to look into the scheme's axing.

He said the ministry should assess the importance of the programme, and consider whether it should be reinstated.

Sen. Simons , Parliamentary Secretary for Education, told Sen. Butterfield: "The Ministry of Education has never sponsored the GED programme and has no information about the reason that it will be offered.'' He added: "The Education Act 1954 gives students the right to remain in secondary school until just below the age of 19 in order that they may complete their secondary school programme.

"Secondary schools must obtain the consent of the Minister in those cases in which they may wish to deny students the opportunity to complete their secondary school programme.'' Opposition and Independent senators, however, pressed Sen. Simons further, saying they were not satisfied with his response.

Sen. Simons told them discussions were taking place with Bermuda College about providing "alternative forms of education''.

He added: "There is an apparent lessening of the power of the GED as a vehicle of alternative education.''