The need to tackle gang violence has been highlighted in this year’s National School Salute.

Bermuda’s schoolchildren also flagged up abuse, bullying, racism, technology and road deaths among the problems facing the island.

Clearwater Middle School pupil Sherry Hayward said: “Gun violence is one main issue in Bermuda — not just Bermuda but everywhere.

“People should stop gun violence because it is not fair on the people and families who have to go through this.”

Fellow Clearwater pupil Jenesis McCallan added: “The issue in Bermuda is a lot of children are losing family from gun violence. We can try to fix this problem by trying to stop gun violence and regular violence.”

Berkeley Institute students Tyrese Coakley and Micah Anderson agreed that Bermuda was “plagued” by gang violence.

Tyrese said it was up to the people of Bermuda and the Government to put an end to it.

He added: “No one else will protect our youth so let us do it by equipping them with the knowledge of such evils and the wisdom to actively work to dissolve them.”

Gang violence and the other problems facing Bermuda were highlighted in one of five supplements that will run in The Royal Gazette as part of the Bermuda National School Salute this week.

Sarah Fellows, schools correspondent at The Royal Gazette, said: “The theme changes each year. This year we are focused on Bermuda.

“The idea behind the National School Salute is to facilitate a platform for the children to share their ideas and thoughts with the community.

Ms Fellows explained that they worked with the journalism 101 rule “Five Ws and How” — who, what, where, when, why and how.

She added: “The 5Ws and H teaches children the foundation for critical thinking.

“It helps them work out fact from fiction which is extremely important for this generation with the majority getting their news from YouTube.”