Former Principal and Government backbencher Dale Butler is attempting to broaden children's horizons by promoting challenging summer schools overseas.

He said instead of taking their youngsters to Disney World or on a cruise this summer, parents could help to stimulate the minds of their sons and daughters by giving them a new academic experience.

He has placed an ad in The Royal Gazette outlining which colleges in the US offer short courses for talented youngsters.

And whether they are as young as ten, or as old as 16, or into math or English, there are courses to suit a wide variety of needs.

The summer schools aim to push bright students that bit further -- giving them higher standards to aim for.

But he said one of the greatest aspects of the courses were the opportunities for youngsters to meet new people and broaden their horizons.

Mr. Butler's eldest son Jay came top of the class at an Oxbridge summer school in 1999, which attracted students from all over the world.

And this year, the MP's younger son Russell, who has a special talent for writing, is off to Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut.

Mr. Butler said: "I have seen for myself how successful these summer courses can be, both in developing the academic achievements of a student and developing their character.

"I feel all parents should know what is available, so I am just trying to help spread the information around.

"These courses are great for those children who need more than an ordinary education -- who need an extra challenge and stimulus. The rewards can be tremendous.

"Besides pushing them further, they open up the minds of the students and let them see just what is out there. But they can also be fun, as well.'' The courses are available for primary, middle and senior school students, cost between $2,000 and $4,000 and can run between two and six weeks.

However, competition is hot and students must be recommended to attend by their school, must show excellent previous academic results, and often have to undergo medicals.

But once accepted on a course, they are looked after from beginning to end.

The MP added: "They tend to be very secure courses. There are strict curfews and strict rules. The safety of the students is the priority. They will even arrange to collect the students from the airport and take them back again.

There is no need to worry.'' And Mr. Butler said he would also like to see the Education Ministry pay for teachers to attend similar teaching courses, that can give them the edge when it comes to classroom tuition.

He added: "It's inevitable that if we are going to have more and more of our children aiming for the top, it will be a constant challenge for teachers to stay ahead of the game.'' Education Minister Milton Scott last night said courses to stimulate the minds of youngsters were to be praised, but he said Government did not need to provide specifically challenging courses for teachers during the summer break, because many did them under their own steam.

And he said Government would be unable to fund mandated courses overseas for teachers during the break because it would have to pay their salaries throughout the training period.

He said: "There are already many teachers that attend training schools during the summer.

"There are 30 plus teachers who have just finished their masters degrees in math. There are others working on doctorates. These are programmes that lots of schools are doing on their own, some with assistance from Government, some provided by Government.'' For more information about the courses, send a fax to Mr. Butler on 232-1496, or e-mail him at ddbutler yibl.bm.