00:00From as early as 8 a.m., students from various schools, their parents, their educators and
00:10members of the communities they are from gathered at the Queen's Park, Savannah for a peace
00:15walk with a pertinent message, non-violence, safe communities, safe schools.
00:22There was a large turnout at the event hosted by the Ministry of Education's Student Support
00:26Services Division, School Social Work Unit, in collaboration with the National Carnival
00:31Commission.
00:33According to manager of the SSSD, Dr. Iyengar Nurse Carrington, the division is resolute
00:38in promoting environments which allow children to learn, grow and succeed.
00:44The theme we have chosen is both timely and significant.
00:50It reminds us that the safety of our schools cannot be separated from the safety of our
00:56communities.
00:57Schools are the heart of every community and if our communities thrive, our students can
01:05and will thrive as well.
01:07Dr. Nurse Carrington underscores the need for all hands on deck, including that of parents
01:12and community leaders.
01:13It takes a village to raise a child.
01:18As we take each step today, let it serve as a reminder of the responsibility we share
01:25to protect and uplift one another.
01:27For in the end, the true measure of a society is not its wealth or power, but how it nurtures
01:35and protects its most vulnerable, the children.
01:39In conveying apologies on behalf of the Education Minister who was unable to be in attendance,
01:44Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Ayanna Gaspard-Clark says, from
01:49her perspective, peace is more than just a conflict-free environment.
01:54I see it as the presence of understanding, empathy and respect.
02:01And these are both values that are most needed in the world today, as well as the values
02:06we are cultivating in our schools.
02:09With the implementation of our cultural transformation policy, we have taken a targeted approach to
02:15crime and criminality.
02:17She says a heavy focus has been placed on the good citizens in terms of the policy.
02:24It is aimed at preventing violence by embedding proactive strategies that transform negative
02:30behaviours.
02:32Ultimately, this approach fosters holistic development of students from early childhood
02:39through to post-secondary education and prepares them for success in the world of work.
02:45In this regard, 74 primary schools and 27 secondary schools are the beneficiaries of
02:51small group intervention sessions.
02:55These sessions help students develop skills to manage their emotions, understand the feelings
03:00of others and navigate conflict in a healthy and productive way.
03:07The Ministry understands that this approach should not stop at the gates of our schools,
03:13so we have also extended these interventions into the wider community.
03:18The Ministry says the NCC's assistance underscores the role that all sectors can play in fostering
03:24safe environments for the nation's children.
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