by YVETTE BEST

TEACHERS at the St Leonard's Boys' Secondary School operate in a "violent" environment.

Acting Principal Desmond Browne told the DAILY NATION his school had its share of fights, theft, truancy, "other anti-social behaviours" and there were rumours of drugs.

Browne, a supporter of corporal punishment, said both he and his "highly sensitive" staff recognised that different approaches might be necessary.

Recognising that children come to school with a number of issues that influence their behaviours, Brown said teachers were trying to listen and reason more with the children, and were making an effort to understand the reasons behind their actions.

Help is on the way for the staff at the Richmond Gap, St Michael institution.

Browne and staff were exposed to the first of an ongoing set of training facilitated by the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday. The training has the full support of the Ministry of Education.

Representative of the UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean, Tom Olsen, and some other trainers gave several presentations on Whole-School Approaches To Positive Discipline In Inclusive, Learning-Friendly Classrooms at the St Leonard's Secondary Boys' School at a one-day workshop at Grand Barbados Beach Resort.

Noting that teachers played an integral role in ensuring that there was a highly educated workforce, Olsen said the UNICEF team was looking to equip teachers with the relevant tools to work in a changing environment.

He said there were no set answers for all situations, but a team approach was key. While they will be advocating proven methods, he said his team would be looking at how their tools would fit into the Barbadian setting, and specifically the St Leonard's school.

Some of the alternatives being suggested are teamwork, negotiation and conflict resolution. A huge component of the exercise is equipping students with social skills and some of the same skills the teachers are being taught.

UNICEF is working with the Hillaby Turner's Hall Primary School and principal Karen Best said she was already seeing some positive results.