JUNCTION, St Elizabeth — Archibald Edwards has intimate knowledge of the fierce struggle required to keep young people engaged in positive activities.

His awareness flows from his vantage point as a former member of the community relations arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and his work in community development at the Social Development Commission.

Though retired, Edwards, a fervent believer in the power of “positive values and attitudes”, is on a mission to promote those principles among Jamaican children. Using what he calls a National Youth Empowerment Values and Attitude Certification Model, he is now on a quest to train and certify 100,000 students across the island in the practice of positive values, attitudes and good work ethic.

He says he is aiming to achieve the target by the end of the next school term.

A user-friendly motivational manual, which was written by Edwards and launched at King’s House in 2009, now serves as the primary teaching material for students in the programme.

Over a two-week period students are engaged by a guidance counsellor or teacher on topics such as time management, self-confidence, listening skills, teamwork, self-motivation, discipline, responsibility, and initiative. Parents are also encouraged to get involved.

Students register with the programme, which was recently endorsed by the Ministry of Education, for a fee and are certified after successfully completing a written test.

According to Edwards, “certification works like (the) immune system; (it) fights against negative thoughts through daily positive affirmation.”

At the first official certification ceremony at the Junction Assembly of God Church in south-east St Elizabeth recently, a total of 85 students from Ballards Valley and Brinkley primary, as well as BB Coke High were certified. Edwards said students at other schools in St Elizabeth are currently in training.

He believes that the effort being made is important to national development.

“We see significant strides in technology… in sports we are the sprint capital of the world. We are great, too, in music. We have several universities. Our sons and daughters are making us proud around the world as intellectual luminaries. In the same breath, our name is battered with crime and corruption (and) our streets are not safe for our little children. The village no longer raises the child….,” Edwards told the audience.

“Our classrooms for our children to get a sound education are frequently scenes of vicious crimes. Thousands of students are leaving schools annually without any form of qualification, not able to matriculate into colleges and universities. Many (are) ending up in the infamous unattached youth group; a gateway to the demonic crime world. In 17 years time we are expected to be celebrating the dream of First-World status. It does not take a rocket scientist to tell us that no way can we continue on this path,” he added.

Derrick Knight, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police for Area 3 (St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon), who was a guest at the certification ceremony said anecdotal evidence shows that it is young people who often find themselves in lock-ups. However, he said, rewarding positive behavioural patterns is one way of preventing children becoming prone to negatives attitudes.

Ministry of Education representative at the function Mark Smith said a programme such as that of Edwards’ was “very close and very dear” to the heart of Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites. He urged the students to have a conviction to do what is right, even if no one is watching.

Gregory Myers, guidance counsellor for Ballards Valley Primary, said he had seen first-hand the value of the two-week programme at his school and called on the Government and private sector to support it.

While chairing the function, he took time out to offer his own words of advice to students: “You are all leaders in your own right. You are the future and you need to take yourselves seriously. Even if you fail you should never, never give up.”

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer Central, Myers expressed plans to use the foundation provided through the students’ involvement in the programme to further engage the children at Ballards Valley Primary. He believes more schools should also get on board.

Academic(s) is key, but character should be built. It is a very good investment,” said Myers, who is also a councillor for the Southfield Division (JLP).

Pauleen Reid, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals, urged the children to always aim for excellence.

“Irrespective of the school you are from you can excel. Success only stops when you stop. Do not become complacent; there are (always) greater mountains to conquer. Encourage classmates to reach for the stars. There is room at the top for everybody. (However) do not remain with those who do not wish to move (up),” she said.

The National Youth Empowerment Values and Attitudes Certification Model is now registering new students for the summer phase of the programme, Edwards said.