The Peace Promotion Programme “Putting People on the Path to Peace”

1. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago The Peace Promotion Programme “Putting People on the Path to Peace” Coordinator - Michael H. Alleyne Ph.D

2. Peace Promotion Programme • The Layered Environment • Causes of inappropriate behaviour • Types of inappropriate behaviour • The programme of the Ministry of Education to address inappropriate behaviour in schools - The Peace Promotion Programme – with a vision and long term goal to create a Culture of Peace • Administrative Structure • Activities of Peace Promotion Programme • Strategic Alliances with other Ministries • Other Features of the Programme • Other Programmes to address violence and indiscipline • Anecdotal evidence • Achievements • Strategic Plan • Phasing in

3. The Layered Environment “If we are to reach real peace in this world, We shall have to begin with the children” Mahatma Gandhi THE WORLD THE SOCIETY/ COMMUNITY/ NATION THE SCHOOL FAMILY/ HOME THE CHILD

4. Causes of Inappropriate Behaviour • Breakdown in family – Parental irresponsibility • World Violence • Negative influence of television, movies, videogames • Poverty – widening income disparity • Drug trafficking and guns • Loss of influence of religion and lack of spirituality • Peer pressure – youth culture • Irrelevant curriculum • Low self-esteem • Machismo and low performance of boys • Teacher absenteeism/inability to manage classrooms • Inability to understand and manage anger and stress • Inadequate physical security • Child abuse by parents, teachers, and other adults • Lack of respect for Authority

5. Types of inappropriate behaviour • Fighting and physical aggression • Disobedience and rudeness • Verbal aggression • Gangs • Vandalism • Stealing • Bullying • Substance abuse – Drugs, Cigarettes, Alcohol • Possession and use of a weapon • Truancy • Sexual misconduct

6. The Peace Promotion Programme • Evolution from School Intervention Strategies to Project Peace to The Peace Promotion Programme • Mission is to create a Culture of Peace in the individual, the home, the school and the community • Slogan – Putting People on the Path to Peace

7. Permanent Secretary Chief Education Officer Management Committee Coordinator – Peace Promotion Programme 1 Specialist Researcher 2 Coordinators with responsibility for Projects, Initiatives, Joint Action Plans, Agreements 2 Secretaries and 2 Trainees Joint Action Plan with Ministry of National Security Joint Action Plan With Ministry of Social Development Joint Action Plan with Ministry of Community Development Cooperative Project with Fernandes Trust Collaborative Project with National Parent Teachers Association Follow up Project to Deosaran Study Joint Action Plan with Ministry of Health School Safety System Democracy Peace Promotion Programme Administrative Structure Minister of Education School Supervision Student Support Services The Management Committee of the Peace Promotion Programme includes representatives of the major stakeholders e.g. TTUTA, NPTA, Associations of Principals, other Ministries and Departments of the Ministry of Education – DCDE, DERE, all S.S. IIIs and various NGOs

8. Operational Activities For Students • Mediation/Conflict Resolution • Pre-Carnival Preparation • 40 Days of Peace • Together We Light The Way • Homework Centres • Out of School suspension • Alternative Education • Driver Responsibility Education • Student Councils (Democratic Citizenship)

9. For Teachers • Classroom Management – alternatives to corporal punishment • Anger and stress understanding and management • Conflict Resolution • Substitute Teachers • Incentives

10. For Parents • Parenting Education – Training Workshops • Education Television for Parents • School Social Workers

11. For Community • Public Education / Information • Involvement / Partnership with private sector • BPTT – Together we light the way • J.B Fernandes Memorial Trust Fund – Parents: Homework Centres, Classroom Management for Primary School teachers • Guardian General – Road safety • Toyota Ltd. – Driver Responsibility Education • EIL Project – School Management

12. Joint Action Plan with: • Ministry of National Securityby the School Discipline Initiative • School Safety Officers • Mentoring Programme • Military Led Academic Training (MILAT) • Military Led Youth Programme of Apprenticeship • And Reorientation Training Programme (MYPART) • Possible Alliances with: • Ministry of Social Development • Mediation / Conflict Resolution • Ministry of Community Development • Homework Centres • Peace Corps for Laventille • Ministry of Health • Drug Abuse Prevention Programme • Health and Family Life Education • HIV / AIDS Prevention • Abstinence Programme

13. Other Features • Physical Security • Security guards - (MTS) • Walls, fences etc by Educational Facilities Management Department • Research undertaken by Professor R. Deosaran with School by School approach for follow-up • Evaluation– Individual activity evaluation • Anecdotal Evidence and Qualitative Data • Impact– Initiated with baseline studies by Professor Deosaran; Joint Action Plan with Ministry of National Security in 17 Schools; Research conducted in collaboration with Professor Katz, contracted by Ministry of National Security • Appointment of Researcher

14. Other Related Programmes / Activities to address Inappropriate Behaviour • Student Support Services • Moral and Values Education • Health and Family life Education • Curriculum Development - Alternative/ Skills Based Education • Abstinence programmes • Department of Research and Evaluation

15. Achievements 2003-2006

19. PHASING - IN Phasing-in – into Secondary School Curriculum – of the strategies, interventions, projects, activities, approaches identified and tried out, introduced during the operations and implementation of the Peace Promotion Programme The Main Path is the Reconstruction of the Curriculum but as an ‘Experience’

20. Peace Promotion Programme Developmental path of a Programme to address violence and indiscipline in schools January 2003