St. Stephen’s College hosts peace walk to mark International Day of Non-Violence

  • Oct, Fri, 2024

RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

In the hopes of making a long-term impact to promote peace in T&T and ending bullying, students and staff of St Stephen’s College in Princes Town held a Peace Walk through the streets of Princes Town on Friday.

The walk was part of a series of activities held in line with UNESCO’s International Day of Non-Violence, observed on October 2.

Speaking to Guardian Media, the school’s Acting Principal, Andre Bowen, said the initiative was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s cultural transformation policy.

He said the event marked the culmination of a week of school activities aimed at promoting non-violence.

“Today we held our ‘No to Violence’ walk to put a stop to violence in all its forms. The school had a strong turnout, with support from parents,” Bowen said.

Assisted by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), as well as guidance counsellors and officers from the Student Support Services Division (SSSD), Bowen said they were providing as much assistance as needed for the students, whom he asserts represent “the generation of hope”.

Spreading the message of rejecting violence in their community, Bowen praised the Ministry of Education for encouraging greater community involvement, noting that this was essential for instilling positive and healthy values in the next generation.

“At St Stephen’s, we tackle these major issues with our students,” he notes, “but there is still a need for guidance.”

“Many students in rural areas face additional challenges, particularly at home. As an Anglican school, we try to make an impact in their homes as well, so we can extend that influence to the broader community,” Bowen explained.

He acknowledged that the growing instability in some households is a key factor in the challenges faced by many students. He noted that fostering non-violence in schools requires a holistic approach, including involvement from families.

The peace walk comes at a time when T&T continues to face high rates of violence.

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