Premier Ewart Brown has spoken of a ?spirited discussion? he held with more than 250 black male students at Berkeley Institute.

The Premier, who visited the school as part of an effort to find out the concerns of the community, talked with the youngsters about issues including Independence, drugs and immigration.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Dr. Brown said he was so impressed with what the students had to say, he now plans to visit as many schools on the Island as possible to hold similar events.

However, he added that much more work still needs to be done to provide policies helping integrate young black males into society.

Dr. Brown said: ?It gives me great pleasure to rise today to report to this Honourable House on my recent visit with over 250 male students at the Berkeley Institute.

?On an ongoing basis, and in keeping with our promises, this Government is determined in its efforts to meet the concerns of our community where they are, make no excuses for their existence and work to provide solutions that move this country forward.

?During my visit to the Berkeley Institute, I confirmed that the Island?s young people, especially its young male students, of whom I met, are not only at school, they are learning, are aware of their country, aware of who has been charged with responsibility for it and, with respect, are not afraid to offer commentary on the concerns that they encounter every day.?

Dr. Brown said he gave words of encouragement to the students by recollecting events from his own life, before opening the floor to questions.

?In the presence of their peers and fellow students,? he continued, ?these courageous young men opened a spirited discussion on Independence, housing, controlled drugs, immigration, employment and sports funding.

?Because this interaction is invaluable in shaping the lives of our young people, I intend to visit as many of our Island schools as I can and speak to all of our young students directly about the issues that concern them and challenge them to reach for the stars.

?These young students wasted no time in posing the most thought-provoking and insightful of questions. I want them to know that they demonstrated not just their love for this country, but displayed a command of the issues that all of us in this House and their parents should be proud.

?All I can is that, judging by my presence here today, I survived.?

The Premier said he would send letters to all the students involved.

He added: ?While the results of my discussion with these young black males were encouraging, we still have a lot of work yet to be done.

?I believe we can, together, break the vicious cycle of dysfunction and disconnect existing in our relations with these young black males and continue to provide policies and programmes that allow them to take their rightful place in this great land of opportunity called Bermuda.?