Promotion of a Culture of Legality and Justice in T&T

1. Promotion of a Culture of Legality and Justice in T&T Presented by: Erlene Benjamin

2. Introduction The presentation seeks to share best practices carried out by the Ministry of Education to: • address the promotion of democratic values and practices in schools in T&T. Promotion of a Culture of Legality and Justice in T&T

3. YTC Mentoring Programme • Programmes held in 20 schools in 2005. • 4895 students reached in 2005. • In 2004-2005, a total of 35 schools and 10,200 students have been engaged in the programme. Promotion of a Culture of Legality and Justice in T&T

4. Security Initiatives:Strengthen and enhance the security system in schools

5. Recruitment of School Safety Officers Promotion of a Culture of Legality and Justice in T&T

6. Police Lectures Training of 83 Deans in the identification and reporting of infractions of the law, was conducted in September – October 2004. SSOs and TTPS are conducting “in school” training. School lectures are being conducted in schools.

7. Effect of Strategies on the School Environment • 50% reduction in suspension notices issued to secondary school students. • Schools with safety officers deployed have no police presence. • Reduction in the reports of incident/accident related injuries in schools. • Increase in the number of PTAs and Student Councils in secondary schools. Promotion of a Culture of Legality and Justice in T&T

8. The Way Forward • Scientific evaluation of the impact of the Action Plan initiatives on school discipline by the DERE (based on the baseline assessment conducted at the commencement of the programme). Data for two years following have been collected. • Education for Democratic Citizenship Programme is a component of the MNS’s Citizen Security Programme. Promotion of a Culture of Legality and Justice in T&T

9. End of Presentation ThankYou