A restructured programme at the Bermuda College will give students who never excelled in school the chance to catch up on lost time.

The programme, previously called the "Best Steps'' programme, is taking on a new name and a new focus.

Beginning this fall it will be known as the "College Discovery'' programme.

Once a springboard for students to go into technical occupations, the programme will now aim to create more well-rounded students who will have options to go into any field.

Last year government pumped $380,000 into the Best Steps programme which was in danger of being abandoned due to lack of funding.

Vice president of Student and Academic Affairs at the college, Donald Peters, told The Royal Gazette when the money was received the college evaluated the Best Steps programme and discovered that it was not serving a relevant purpose.

Dr. Peters said the programme had been "for students who either dropped out of high school or opted out of the education system to prepare them for more technical positions''.

But he explained that the college already had a successful Technical Centre where students can learn hands-on trades.

College officials decided to make the programme a pre-college programme where students between the ages of 18 and 24, who did not have the academic background to enter the college's other programmes, could receive a stronger background in general studies.

Dr. Peters said while the programme will be for those students who graduated from high school with low good grades, there will be room for those who left high school before graduation.

And the students without a high school diploma will have the opportunity to achieve their General Education Diploma (GED) through the programme.

Dr. Peters said the programme will help "at risk students'' turn their life around and find inspiration in higher learning.

"By the time students are 18, they have realised their objectives,'' he said.

"And the community benefits as the become productive citizens.'' Dr. Peters added that they will be "Bermuda College students, completely integrated in college life''.

Dean of Student Services Cheridan Talbot said the students will have regular college schedules filled with courses in reading, writing, math, and computer studies.

They will also participate in a college skills course where they will learn about time management, goal setting, self-assessment and look at career options.

And Mrs. Talbot said students will have to participate in extra-curricular activities such as aerobics, basketball, the fashion club or write for the college newspaper, The College Rap.

The programme also includes mandatory tutorials which are either in small groups or one-on-one sessions with faculty.

And the Government funds will provide salaries for six new faculty members and counsellors.

"The programme aims at getting students to discover college and higher education,'' Dr. Peters said, adding that it will be continuously evaluated to assess the level of its success.