Education minister says T&T violence stems from lack of problem-solving skills

Education Minister Esther Le Gendre said Monday the prevalence of violence in the schools and the wider Trinidad and Tobago society suggests that many people lack the skills necessary to solve problems in a non-violent way.

Le Gendre was speaking at the official opening of a four-day training workshop on conflict resolution hosted by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government.

She said all citizens need to be equipped with the skills solve conflict in a non-violent way. "Everything about us today is suggesting that we do not have such skills, we are quick to solve issues violently. Clearly we are not listening," the minister said.

She added that the increased reporting of domestic violence suggests that couples are not listening and the escalation of violence in the schools means the youth and also turning a deaf ear the the concerns of one another and to their teachers.

Le Gendre described the workshop as an intervention that's needed at this time "to help us improve our conflict management skills." The American consultancy firm Global Issues Resource Centre is the facilitator for for the workshop for teachers and other ministry staff.

The focus of the training is on conflict styles, de-escalating anger, peer mediation and bullying prevention.

Local Government Minister Hazel Manning told participants the workshop is significant because "it incorporates the support of teachers who are responsible for student councils, it incorporates the leadership of principals, guidance officers, community group leaders, local government and gender affairs officers...it is indeed an inter-sectoral collaborative project."