Managing Anger and Resolving Conflicts in Schools.

• Author: Greene, Starret D.
• Position: Youth in the Americas - Essay

The Organization of American States (OAS), through its Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI), funded a project in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis entitled, "Anger Management and Conflict Resolution Programme for Schools." The project specifically targeted youth in public and private schools who exhibited antisocial behaviors and who were also involved in episodes of violence on school premises.

According to the Ministry of Education, the increasing incidence of violence among youth in schools has become a major concern for educators and policy makers. The Ministry noted that, in many ways, this was linked to the increasing prevalence of the gang culture in St. Kitts and Nevis. Officials revealed that involvement in violent activity and other deviant behaviors in school led to increased numbers of suspensions and expulsions.

The project sought to improve educational outcomes for the less advantaged and most vulnerable groups of students (at-risk youth) who engaged in risky behavior (school violence). The beneficiaries included students, teachers, guidance counselors, parents and guardians, and the general public.

Some of the objectives of the program were:

* to assist participants in understanding how anger was seen in their culture;

* to teach participants that anger could be a positive or a negative phenomenon;

* to help participants understand the origins of anger, namely, hurt: denial, put down, shut down, and let down; and

* to help participants understand themselves and, in particular, their feelings.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The program was designed to help teachers and guidance counselors:

* understand how emotional literacy could inhibit violent behavior;

* help staff members build more positive relationships with students and parents/guardians; and

* detect signs of potential violent behavior in children.

The project won approval from the technical committee (CENPES) of the OAS because it reflects the signs of the times throughout the Hemisphere, where crime, violence, and conflicts in society have taken center stage and have affected everyone. In the face of this harsh reality, urgent steps must be taken to protect and defend those who are most vulnerable, especially the youth. When violence is brought to the entrance of the school gates, it should command concerted and collective action by all to stamp it out with an effectiveness that is reflective of our deep distain for...