Henry Wilson says every child must
be taught conflict resolution skills
Career & Education
Observer Reporter
Sunday, June 11, 2006
MINISTER of Education and Youth Maxine Henry-Wilson says every child must be taught the necessary conflict resolution and social skills to enable them to function effectively in society.
She said students who did not learn the correct course of action in conflict resolution, often grew up to become miscreants.
"I want to see every child in Jamaica doing the best they can," the education minister said, as she addressed a Career Day function on June 2 at the Allman Hill Primary and Junior High School in St Andrew.
According to the minister, by paying special attention to basic personal safety and self-control, students could supplement their academic learning to become the best they could be.She further encouraged the students to not only acknowledge the importance of formal education, but to practise wholesome social skills that foster good citizenship.
"In addition to school books, there are things you have to do to prepare yourselves to grow up in a world where you are able to become a good citizen," Henry-Wilson stated, while stressing the importance of respect, courtesy and good personal presentation, as basic building blocks for excellent character.
She further commended the school's administration for the good behaviour and attentiveness she observed among the students.Meanwhile, the school's guidance counsellor, Claudia Hayles, who has been in that capacity since 1997, told JIS News that the institution had implemented a programme to cut down on violence, which among other things, offered incentives to well-behaving students.
Henry-Wilson also took time out to interact with individual students and suggested appropriate career paths."Every single child in Jamaica deserves the right to realise whatever career they want to have," she stated.
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