Senior school students in Bermuda want to know why Government is pushing for Independence when there are more pressing issues like crime and a housing shortage.

Students at Berkeley Institute had the opportunity to ask the Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC) questions during a special assembly this week.

BIC officials visited all Government senior schools and a few private schools over the past few weeks including Bermuda High School, CedarBridge Academy and Berkeley Institute.

Following a presentation by BIC officials, they open up the floor to questions from students.

Berkeley Institute Principal, Michelle Grant-Gabisi said yesterday how incredibly proud she was of her students who asked officials pertinent questions concerning Independence.

She said since many of her students were already 18 and could vote, she felt it was important that they be included in discussions concerning their future.

Mrs. Grant-Gabisi said some of the questions asked included what form of Government Bermuda would have after Independence, why Independence was so important and why the country was in such a rush to have it".

"Students also asked about homeland security, if the youth would be allowed to vote and why the Government was focusing on Independence when there were so many other pressing issues in Bermuda, like crime and the housing shortage," she said.

Students also asked what impact Independence would have on international business and what would happen to ex-pats living in Bermuda.

She said following the assembly, students were given additional information so that they could do further research on the topic.

Mrs. Grant-Gabisi said that youth in Bermuda appeared to know more about current issues than they sometimes let on and she had encouraged teachers to work with students in doing as much research as they wanted.

"I've encouraged them to explore the internet and gather whatever information they need concerning independence," she said.

She said it was important for students to ask questions and become informed on matters that concern them.

"It's critical that they have a say in the future of their country," she said.