School Principals Association for being too stiff.

A large segment of the Island's youngsters were being "left behind'' because they were failing to meet the admission standards of the Island's only college, Association head Dr. Norma Hendrickson said.

She was one of four speakers addressing the fifth in a series of public forums before the college's "planning team'' to see it into the 21st Century.

Other speakers included Mount Saint Agnes headmistress Sister Judith Rollo, Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers president Mr. Michael Charles and student council president Mr. Lennox Boodram.

Mr. Boodram said it was important the college earn a reputation for being a caring institution.

Ways in which it could do this included drafting a Student Bill of Rights, providing daycare for students with children, sponsoring students to spend a semester abroad at a "sister college'' and implementing a sports programme.

Dr. Hendrickson said the college once served all those in the community seeking higher education.

"In other words,'' she said, "the college would be accessible to all students, certainly to those who completed the requirements for the BSSC, the national exit examination for secondary students.'' But that philosophy seemed to have "changed drastically'', causing high school principals to have "grave misgivings'' concerning the direction the college seemed to be headed.

"We see a very small percentage of our local students in, at, or having access to the college in years to come.'' The college was placing more emphasis on so-called academic programmes, which she said favoured only one segment of the community -- "the academic elite''.

"This perpetuates the select academic system which presently exists in our schools, and in the process, devalues the many other skills needed for a well balanced society.

"We feel this will create an even larger underclass than there is now.'' Dr.

Hendrickson said students from the entire secondary school population -- including those from "academic'' schools -- were having difficulty in gaining admission.

She said: "One cannot help but applaud the efforts of the College to better its academic standing, but at this point in time this seems to be taking place at the expense of the general secondary school population.

"One thing is certain, the Bermuda College cannot move into the 21st Century by effectively leaving such a large segment of the students behind.'' Dr. Hendrickson said the college the Association envisioned for the year 2000 was one that would serve a range of abilities, aptitudes and aspirations.

She said financial aid should be made available to students in academic, vocational and technical areas of study to show the value the community places on each area.

And she suggested the college establish a pre-college programme to assist students.

The Warwick Secondary headmistress added: "It will not be sufficient for one to learn a skill while at school or during an apprenticeship, and expect that skill to be in demand for a lifetime.'' Sister Judith shared Dr. Hendrickson's views on the importance of both technical and academic programmes being available at the college.

Bermuda would always need tradespeople, she said. "All the community needs to show more respect for skilled labourers and instil that respect in young people.'' She also suggested the college build a chapel and have a "department of spirituality''.

In his presentation, Mr. Charles said the college must strive to convince its students of the importance of the hotel industry.

"All aspects of this industry must be emphasised,'' he said. "A four-year programme, culminating with a degree in Hotel Technology is imperative.'' He said to afford students a broader perspective, they should be encouraged to perform their internships at an overseas hotel.

Mr. Charles further said at least a bachelor's degree in business should be offered, with consideration of a master's degree.

He said he believed the lack of on-campus housing was discouraging a "significant number'' of foreign students from attending the college.

And he suggested the college hire a recruitment officer to market the college locally and abroad.

Finally, in order to help underqualified students gain entry, he suggested either reinstituting an intense remediation programme, or a one-year preparatory course.