Handbook launched to make schools friendly

When home isn’t a safe place for children, hopefully school is. Today, the Ministry of Education and UNICEF joined forces to create a guide to help teachers create a friendly environment for their students. “My Agenda 2001-2002” will be used in primary schools throughout the country, and Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, Dorian Barrow, says the methods should prove very effective.

Dorian Barrow, CEO, Min. of Education

“Most of our primary schools are child friendly places. That is there are schools where children make friends, where children play and joke, sing and compete and meet other people. Schools where teachers are friendly, understanding, kind, patient, loving and positive. Schools where teachers pay attention and listen, are fair and treat children equally. Where teachers correct homework, make teaching fun, are punctual and are firm, but not rough. However, there are still too many of our schools that are cramped, where classrooms and bathrooms are dirty, where furniture is broken or too small. Where the classrooms is noisy. Where there is no clean drinking water. Where teachers are angry, they do not correct homework, they do not explain, they don’t listen, they’re disrespectful and mean and have favourites. Like the agenda we’re about to launch today, I believe that we should not rest until all our educational institutions are child friendly schools. And “My Agenda 2001-2002″ is an attempt to help us to focus on achieving that goal.”

According to Barrow, the suggested activities can be used on either a weekly or a monthly basis. Teachers are expected to begin implementing the initiative shortly.