BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 9th 2013 - The implementation of a Restorative Justice Component in schools around the Federation was identified as an area for consideration and development by a needs assessment team during its recent visit.
Well known donors to the Ministry of Education Mr. and Mrs. John Scanelli, accompanied by the President of the Darden College of Education, Dr. Linda Devitis, as well as their daughter Ms. Maria Scanelli, a professional in the field of Restorative Justice, visited Ministry officials and schools to determine local needs.
The visit came sharply behind the inaugural International Mathematics Video Conferencing Workshop conducted by the staff of Old Dominion University in the United States of America which was organized by the Scanellis in collaboration with the Principal of the Beach Allen Primary School, Mrs. Emelita Warner-Paul.
The workshop was hailed an outstanding success by participants for whom the use of manipulatives in conveying mathematical concepts to students came alive during their interactive session with their facilitators in Norfolk Virginia, United States.
Now, with the initial teleconference workshop completed, and excitement for future activities underway, the Scanelli’s felt it was a great opportunity to build on the partnership.
As far as Restorative Justice is concerned, Maria Scanelli explained, successful education systems cannot continue to isolate individuals who are considered to challenge the status quo based on issues that remain unresolved.
“In the United States it has become a very disturbing trend that many youth are pushed out of the classroom, they are suspended, sent home, expelled, sent out on the streets and eventually hang out with people who do not inspire them to act differently,” said Ms. Scanelli.
The alternative, Restorative Justice, also referred to as Conflict Resolution is an activity that is becoming increasingly popular as it encourages discussion, a respectful venting of issues and co-operative respect through mentorship.
Ms. Scanelli who has assisted with the implementation of this practice in the United States discussed the possibility for its development in schools locally. She emphasized that adults must first model the behaviours and address the tougher conversations when harm has been done and high emotions are involved.
Also present was Dr. Linda Devitis, Dean of Darden College of Education who reinforced the benefits of collaboration for Kittitians as well as her staff in the United States.
“I think there’s a great opportunity for us to learn from your school system the challenges that you face and how you have dealt with them. This will help us to deal with the challenges we face in our school system. We all know that teaching is one of the most important jobs but it can also be described as the most challenging and difficult.”
The Dean went on to reveal that Darden produces 400 teachers a year as well as counsellors; career and vocational teachers. She referred to its graduates as dynamic, goal oriented and interested in collaborations with international education systems.
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