Last week, the Mincy study revealed the hard-hitting fact that more than 50 percent of young black Bermudian men drop out of high school.

It was also revealed that black men are paid less than their white male counterparts, and females are more likely to get post secondary degrees.

In an effort to find out if the findings were true, Mikaela Ian Pearman sat down with a group of high school drop-outs to get their opinion on the study.

A high-school drop-out is often looked down on in society.

They become statistics and may even fall into a life of crime.

But what happens when they choose another path, another way?

Jason Dillas, 24, Terrencio Lowe, 18, Ciera Dill, 23 and Joshua Iris, 17, were all removed from CedarBridge Academy and Berkeley Institute for various behavioural problems.

But instead of becoming statistics and 'sitting on the wall', they all chose to do something to make a better future.

They are all graduates of The Education Centre (TEC).

Jason gave his explanation for why young black men drop out of school.

"It comes down to the person "If the child wants to have goals in his life.

Joshua agreed and said: "The difference is the opportunities for girls when they get kicked out. For guys, there's only a few things that make good money. If you're young and you get kicked out of school, you go to the gas station. As a girl coming out of school, you can go get a job. There's just certain things that guys can't do like working in a hair salon."

Ciera explained what she thinks is wrong with the public school system.

"With the school system, if I say I can't understand, she [the teacher] says you should be able to understand it. Certain people work different. You get frustrated then you start falling back and then you get in trouble."

The group agreed private school teachers were more in tune with their students.

Jason said: "With private schools, they pull the children to the side. Who pays for it, puts them behind it? The teachers are being paid to teach."

Terrencio agreed and said: "Private school students, I would say they are well structured."

Ciera said: "Private schools are more one on one. The public school, they don't have more time for that. The student is making off. Little things the teachers go by, they compare you to everybody else.

"I have had some good teachers. At TEC it's a smaller school and a lot of the teachers are willing to work with you. They find your strong points."

Joshua, a Bermuda College student, spoke about why girls tend to be more educated then boys.

"For girls and boys it's motivation. Girls can get motivated off the slightest things. Some guys need certain things to motivate them like girls. Because for me, that's when I work best. I'm studying business administration. I want to be an accountant. I'm good at math."

He plans to go away to university after he finishes at the college but hasn't applied and doesn't have a school in mind.

Terrencio is an apprentice at AutoStar.

Asked if it matters educationally if a student lives with both parents, the group said no.

"My mommy and daddy lived together and look at me. At the end of the day, it's the student when they come to school", Ciera said.

Jason added: "I don't think it's a problem with parents. The education is here but it's for the child to take it. It really comes down to making it interesting to learn. I read but I don't know what I'm reading."

The study highlighted 'soft skills' as a reason why young black men don't get hired or can't keep jobs.

Jason said: "That's true. I have a problem with authority. It's sometimes just the approach of somebody to turn you off from doing it. You just don't feel like doing it."

Jason works for Bermuda Sanitation and hopes to own his own business some day because he thinks it will be easier with more flexible hours.

"I have changed a lot. I have changed from a person who couldn't keep still to a person who's doing something positive. Don't let nothing hold you back. Just because you're presented with an obstacle, don't turn away."

Asked why many young black men go for jobs where they can work with their hands, Jason said: "I'm more hands on. I can't sit down at a desk."

Ciera added: "Students should pursue something that they're good with their hands. If they're extremely good with their hands, stick to what you're good at."

She started as a temp telemarketer for Bermuda Yellow Pages and now works in sales.

"If you have people pushing you, you work harder. I said I am not going to be another statistic."