Financial assistance will be provided for Bermuda's best and brightest to attend overseas talented student courses said Education Minister Terry Lister this week.

Government has committed $43,000 to the Institute for Talented Students programme to ensure that high achievers in need of funds can receive all the academic stimulation they need at the summer programme offered through the Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth.

The programme under the direction of Riquette Bonne-Smith, sent 16 local students this year to attend courses at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

Mr. Lister, Permanent Secretary Michelle Khaldun and Senior Education Officer Joeann Smith were sent by the Ministry to observe the instruction students received in courses in maths, geopolitics and science.

Mr. Lister said he is confident that the partnership of hisinistry with Bermuda's Institute for Talented Students will encourage bright students to excel even if they cannot afford to attend the programme.

"Here is a programme designed to pull the best out of high achievers," said Mr. Lister. "Our mission is to ensure that students have the opportunity to excel and it is to our benefit to develop this partnership."

Mr. Lister said the $43,000 invested in the programme is significant spending but it is money well spent.

Students from the public and private system attend the Institute for Talented Students.

"We owe it to these young people to provide them with enriching experiences that can match their natural abilities," said Mrs. Bonne-Smith.

"Talent is such a unique commodity that it cannot be wasted. It is so much easier to recognise sporting and artistic talent and to provide for it and reward it."