Backbencher Dale Butler is looking for the secret recipe for growing Bermudian boys into great men.

Mr. Butler is organising a forum to be held in late April to specifically discuss the unique challenges of raising boys on the Island and he is searching for at least ten people willing to share their secrets for success in parenting or care of boys.

What is clear from Bermuda's statistics, he said, is that boys are not consistently performing academically at the same level as girls and far too many are falling into the prison system.

And the community at large is becoming ever more concerned about how to best address the problems boys are facing. "I hear about it all the time when I do my canvassing,'' he said.

"There are so many ingredients'' to raising successful boys, said Mr. Butler, and that is why he is particularly hoping that parents -- or other caregivers -- who have had successes with boys will participate in the forum.

"A lot of research has been done on the subject'' of how to best raise boys, he said, but he sees a need to collect local stories. These stories might be arranged into a book or pamphlet to help other parents, he said.

Mr. Butler is hoping parents and caregivers will provide quotes, tips and possibly small video segments which other parents can turn to for ideas on effectively directing the development of their male children.

"We all have little problems with our children,'' said Mr. Butler.

Among the topics he would like the panels to discuss is whether boys should be separated from girls once they hit middle school or high school age and "their hormones kick in''.

Another possibility would be to separate the boys from the girls for specifically targeted subjects with which boys struggle.

"Studies have shown that even just separating boys from girls for English class can be beneficial,'' he said.

Or, he said, boys might benefit from starting school one year later than girls.

The Raising Boys forum will be held on Thursday, April 26 at St. Mary's Church. It will begin at 8 p.m.

Those interested in participating or assisting with the forum can contact Mr.

Butler by e-mail (dale ymef.bm), pager (297-8931) or fax (232-1496).