Bermudians with scholarships and work release programmes in the last year -- came under the microscope in the House of Assembly on Friday.

The debate on the unversity began with Shadow Environment Minister the Rev.

Trevor Woolridge , an alumni who has paved the way for Bermudians to attend the College, praised students there who had received awards and high grades during the first semester.

But Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness asked Rev. Woolridge to provide some guide to how the qualifications for the Allen students compared to results from other educational establishments.

He said: "Some qualifications brought into Bermuda mean nothing.'' Noting that some epople had expressed concerns about Allen's standards, he said he himself had graduated from a southern university with honours, only to find later that it meant little compared to degrees from other colleges.

Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith banged the drum for universities and colleges which some people held in low regard.

Ms Smith said students' minds could be opened up in such places.

"They might discover some ability they didn't think they had,'' she said.

And she pointed out some colleges could be a stepping stone to others.

Ms Smith hailed lawyer Ms Victoria Pearman as an example of someone who was "a victim of an elitist'' school system in Bermuda.

She said Ms Pearman had been kicked out of high school, despite her fantastic mind.

But her brilliance was eventually tapped, and she became a lawyer.

Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira backed much of Ms Smith's speech on education.

It was worthwhile students attending even those overseas colleges which some held in low esteem.

Just travelling abroad and fending for oneself was beneficial.

Also in the House of Assembly: Mr. Edness praised the Bermuda Public Services Association for its election of a president using a "democratic procedure''; and Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams (PLP) attacked the decision to fine former MP Mr.

Harry Viera for firearm offences. Mr. Williams said allowing Mr. Viera to get off "scot free'' was not a good message to send out to young people.