As the new school year started on Monday, students at Dunoon Technical High School were introduced to new teachers in the auditorium of the St Andrew institution.
They also met 28 of their fellow students, not for the first time, but for the first time in their capacity as Peace and Love in Society peer mediators. They were trained over four days during the summer holidays, as the PALS programme begins in over 100 schools under an arrangement with the Ministry of Education.
Packed Auditorium
"You will hear them refer to themselves as conflict managers also," PALS trainer Sybil James, who did the introductions, told students in the packed auditorium. "They serve their school by helping other students resolve conflicts."
PALS trainer Michael Cohen is the school's coordinator and will have direct contact with the Dunoon peer mediators throughout the school year. PALS trainer Sheron Barnes-Wilmott also worked with the students.
With the peer mediators/conflict managers, new badges on their shirts and tunics, standing before the general assembly, James explained their roles.
"They operate in pairs and are scheduled for duty by the coordinator. They assist students in peaceful expression and resolution of their conflicts," she said. Students may be referred to the peer mediators/conflict managers by the principal, teachers or other students, or they may go voluntarily.
This is an excerpt from an article published in the Jamaica Star on Friday September 11, 2009. The entire article is available at the Jamaica Gleaner website.
They also met 28 of their fellow students, not for the first time, but for the first time in their capacity as Peace and Love in Society peer mediators. They were trained over four days during the summer holidays, as the PALS programme begins in over 100 schools under an arrangement with the Ministry of Education.
Packed Auditorium
"You will hear them refer to themselves as conflict managers also," PALS trainer Sybil James, who did the introductions, told students in the packed auditorium. "They serve their school by helping other students resolve conflicts."
PALS trainer Michael Cohen is the school's coordinator and will have direct contact with the Dunoon peer mediators throughout the school year. PALS trainer Sheron Barnes-Wilmott also worked with the students.
With the peer mediators/conflict managers, new badges on their shirts and tunics, standing before the general assembly, James explained their roles.
"They operate in pairs and are scheduled for duty by the coordinator. They assist students in peaceful expression and resolution of their conflicts," she said. Students may be referred to the peer mediators/conflict managers by the principal, teachers or other students, or they may go voluntarily.
This is an excerpt from an article published in the Jamaica Star on Friday September 11, 2009. The entire article is available at the Jamaica Gleaner website.