This year our Non Violence Schools’ Training content has been revised and re-worked. The primary focus of the content now is on equipping grade 6 pupils with important skills to identify/manage conflict, effectively communicate, be assertive and have basic knowledge about the epidemic of HIV/Aids.
The new content is currently piloted using 78 pupils across 3 Schools, Ferndale Combined located in Phoenix, Inanda Day Primary and Kasturba Gandhi Primary both located in Inanda.
Currently, the pilot, which is in full swing, has been proceeding very well with both learners and educators giving the programme high praises. Halima Hoosen, a pupil at Ferndale Combined said,“This programme has made me realise I can play an effective role in keeping peace in my school as well as my community by leading by example. I have also learnt that conflict is part of life, the best we can do is manage it in a way that can minimise the level of violence. I’m grateful to the Gandhi Development Trust for this programme as well as my educators who chose me to be part of it.”
Mr Hlomuka, Life Orientation educator at Kasturba Gandhi Primary said, “ It is good when learners hear about the importance of handling conflict wisely from Organisations such as the Gandhi Development Trust. This enforces what we also teach our learners on daily basis here in school. GDT Has helped us a great deal with this programme. The very same students who are involved in this pilot will be used during break times to keep peace on the school yard.”
According to a grade 7 educator at Ferndale Combined whom GDT has worked closely with in the previous years, this programme would also be beneficial to her grade 7 class. She has since requested the programme be extended to more pupils in order to help minimise incidences of violence noted among pupils at the school.