MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Political, education and civic leaders in this south-central parish have credited the Peace Ambassador Programme for a reduction in bullying and conflicts in some schools.

The programme, which was piloted at Christiana Moravian Primary and Infant as well as Christiana High School last June, focuses on training and equipping students to become junior justices of the peace.

Custos of Manchester Garfield Green, who spearheaded the initiative, said the programme is being expanded to 21 schools in Manchester, including primary, secondary and one tertiary institution.

“In June of last year the pilot programme was launched and it has shown us the power of young minds dedicated to fostering peace, harmony and understanding in our schools. We have a reduction in bullying, there is a reduction in incidents that would normally lead to fights, and our students are more socially and emotionally competent,” he told his audience at Church Teachers’ College in Mandeville on Tuesday.

Green said he received positive reports from schools which benefited from the programme.

“Students have demonstrated a significant increase in empathy and understanding towards one another. Conflicts have decreased as students are resolving issues through constructive dialogue. Leadership skills have improved, the students take on roles and responsibilities to maintain a peaceful environment — the initiative has created a positive and supportive school culture,” he said.

“The peace ambassador initiative has made a profound impact on our students and school community. We are proud of the progress made and look forward to continuing the growth and success,” added Green.

Against the backdrop of recent incidents of violence in schools, Green reiterated his view that parents have failed their children.

“This initiative has become necessary due to what appears to be a failure on the part of parents to instil essential values of peace, empathy, love, understanding and tolerance in their children. As a society we rely on the family unit to be the cornerstone of moral education and character development, however recent events that we learnt through the media have shown us that there is a gap in this fundamental aspect of upbringing,” he said.

“It is rather disheartening to witness a generation growing up without proper guidance. The vision for a better Jamaica lies within gaining lost basic values and attitudes that helped to build this nation. In rebuilding this nation on values and attitudes we should inculcate the norms and values of patriotism, love, civic pride, respect, compassion and tolerance among all students in our schools,” he added in reference to the Manchester beliefs, values and attitudes (BVA) programme.

The BVA is aimed at facilitating attitudinal change and social revitalisation.

Wendell Bailey, acting director for regional education services at the Ministry of Education’s Region Five, said the ministry has endorsed the Peace Ambassador Programme.

“Violence in schools is a pressing concern that demands our unwavering attention; it is a barrier to learning, a threat to safety, a source of trauma for our students. The school Peace Ambassador Programme offers a powerful antidote to violence and negativity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manchester North Eastern Member of Parliament Audley Shaw commended Green for spearheading the initiative.

“This is so necessary at this time because, all over the place, we are getting reports of negative behaviour taking place in our schools all over the country. I consider this school peace programme to be something that is worth every effort,” he said.

He called on adults to be role models for children.

“One of the things we have to be careful of is: We have people who are not respectful and some of them are the ones that are encouraging our young people to be on a track that is inappropriate and that is violent, so we have some work to do,” said Shaw.