Peace project helps PE schools overcome violence

Discipline has become the order of the day at a number of schools in Nelson Mandela Bay, thanks to a project run by the GM South Africa Foundation that promotes peace at schools despite violence and gangsterism.

The Seeds of Peace Programme, started in 2006 with the aim of helping teachers become peace builders in their schools, has been a resounding success especially where there is gangsterism.

The GMSA Foundation has been working with the Port Elizabeth education district to ensure that schools embrace love, peace and respect as core values for teachers, pupils and parents.

Tyrone Johannes, principal of Helenvale’s Bayview Primary School, said it was important to teach children values at a young age. He said even though they saw parents fighting or gangsterism, there was an alternative like talking.

Johannes said gangsterism and violence was rife in Helenvale and gangsters were all around the school. The programme had been great for the pupils since they started three years ago.

“The children want to fix things with fighting. But thanks to the programme there is less fighting.

“At one stage, we stopped second break for us to cope. We have managed to reach the point where we now have one or two fights instead of the eight or 10 we had in the past. Kids fight over trivial things.

The principal of KwaZakhele’s BJ Mnyanda Primary School, Thamie Xaluva, said the pupils had become disciplined.

The school has added features like a peace corner and, during morning assembly, teachers promote love, peace and joy.

“Peace brings discipline, and we have noticed that our children have become disciplined since the start of the project.”

Parents were also being taught how to teach their children to read and have more respect at home, because respect started at home.

She said she was grateful to the GMSA Foundation. “I always tell my teachers that the best resources are not always important, and that we should not rely on the education department, but also take the initiative. Our school has benefited a lot.”

Noncedo Jobela, deputy principal of Govan Mbeki township’s Cebelihle Primary School, agreed with Xaluva. “The programme has made a great difference in our school. The children are disciplined and they spread love among themselves.”

Zelna Damons, a parent of a Cedarberg Primary School pupil, said she had started her own catering company after training from the project. “We completed a work ethic course offered for parents in the project, and I decided to use my skills.”

Cedarberg Primary in Booysen Park was affected by gangsterism and vandalism, and the programme had helped pupils deal with these issues, she said.

Each school identified two teachers who attended workshops and shared their skills with fellow colleagues, pupils and parents. The programme covers peer mediation, building peaceful classrooms, a school safety programme and better parenting.

Programme co-ordinator Paula du Plooy said 24 schools had benefited from the programme this year.

(This story is courtesy of The Herald. Used with permission.)