Those officials involved in the development of the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (Impact Justice) project have been praised by this island???s Education Minister, Ronald Jones.

The Minister was today addressing the start of a four-day workshop on Restorative Practices being hosted this week by the Impact Justice project for principals and deputy principals of secondary schools, at the Solutions Centre of University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus.

He commended the Government of Canada for funding the five-year regional justice sector reform initiative being implemented by the Caribbean Law Institute Centre of the Faculty of Law, and for ???being on board??? and helping Barbados and the region grapple with issues confronting their societies.

Mr. Jones lauded the Project Director, Professor Velma Newton, for her foresight and commitment in coordinating the workshop to train principals ???in alternative solutions and practices to deal with what might sometimes be considered the intractable challenges or issues of discipline in our schools???.

The Cave Hill Campus also came in for praise for its commitment to the development of people and for ensuring that it remained ???at the top of education in Barbados???.

Urging principals to make the best of the training, he said: ???Restorative practices is important as an area of knowledge [and] as an area of practice that you will seek to use in the schools, recognising the humanity of our young people??? It is just a part of the cycle of life that brings an important intervention into disciplinary issues in our schools and by extension into the community.???

Newly-appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau, referring to principals as ???key leaders in the provision of secondary education???, said the Campus and the secondary educational sector were in the business of meeting the needs of Barbadians.

???Cave Hill builds on what the secondary educational sector produces. Our educational work complements each other???s output,??? stressed Professor Barriteau, who noted that the Campus was ready, willing and able to work with them on various services and skills required for a solid secondary education platform.

???So, do keep coming to Cave Hill. We are open for the business of learning and training,??? she added.??The Professor also pointed out that the Canadian-funded project was an example of solid commitment by the Government and people of Canada to the social, economic and cultural development of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

And, she contended that the training was relevant, as the use of restorative practices had been shown to reduce misbehaviour, bullying, violence and crime among students and improve the overall climate of learning.

joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

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