education now have an opportunity to get their qualifications through a local high school equivalency programme. Cranleigh Limited, located on the Mezzanine Level of the Washington Mall, now offers courses to adults aged 16 and up which culminate in the test of General Educational Development (GED).

Mrs. Claudia Hill, who heads up the programme, said few things in life are more important than an education.

"A bad experience in education can have residual effects which can debilitate a person for years,'' she said.

"Adult students have had some dramatic experience in the past that stopped them from completing their education,'' she said.

"They didn't pay attention (in school) because there were problems at home, they became pregnant or had problems with teachers or administrators. There are always underlying factors.'' Mrs. Hill, who taught GED courses in California and Florida for seven years, opened the Cranleigh programme in February. She said completion times vary greatly because each student has different skill levels when they begin the programme. Generally, one year is required to adequately prepare for the GED.

Classes covering five subjects -- writing skills, literature, social studies, science and mathematics -- are conducted in six-week blocks, with 12 hours of instruction per week.

To ensure that each student receives individual attention, a ceiling of 10 participants has been placed on the programme. Five Bermudian teenagers and young people are currently enrolled.

Preliminary tests are administered before students begin the courses in such subjects as reading, writing, vocabulary and spelling in order to establish the student's general aptitude.

Mrs. Hill was quick to point out that Cranleigh is equipped with text books at every reading level, so no one will be left behind.

"No matter what my student's requirements are, I can meet that need,'' Mrs.

Hill said.

She backed up this statement by noting that not one student who has received the go-ahead from her has failed the GED exam, which is administered by the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey.

The biggest problem facing adult students is anxiety because they are "so used to failure'' Mrs. Hill said, adding that success depends greatly on the students determination.

But she said people who go for the GED have set goals for themselves -- they are there because they choose to be, not because they have to.

"I never have to cajole or sweet-talk them,'' Mrs. Hill said.