Heads of secondary schools and their deputy principals will, next week, undergo training in the fundamentals of Restorative Practices, a new field of study in social relations that has the potential to positively impact human behavior and strengthen civil society.
The training course, which runs from Tuesday, May 19, to Friday, May 22, at the Solutions Centre at the Cave Hill Campus, is being hosted by the IMPACT Justice Project, which is funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus.
It is also being held in association with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. Education Minister, Ronald Jones, will deliver remarks at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, at 8:30 a.m.
Addresses will also be made by newly-appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau, and Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Richard Hanley.
Professor Velma Newton, the IMPACT Justice Project Director, speaking about the course said: ???The fundamental principle of restorative practices is that people are happier, more cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes when those in authority do things with, rather than to, or for them.
???In schools, the use of restorative practices has been shown to reduce misbehavior, bullying, violence and crime among students and improve the overall climate for learning.??? The training sessions in Barbados are the first in a series to be offered in 13 CARICOM Member States, as part of the Project???s component for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Peace Building. The next country to benefit will be St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb