November 7, 2022 – WPDI recently ran 3 teacher training programs in 3 different schools in the Steenberg and Lavender Hill areas of Cape Town, South Africa. Testifying to the interest generated among educational professionals in mastering such life skills, a total of 171 teachers participated in the courses at Harmony and Abedare Primary Schools in Steenberg, and Lavender Hill High School in Lavender Hill. Split into 3 weekly sessions, each course covered a range of topics focused on peacebuilding and conflict resolution. These included definitions of peace and conflict, as well as the different ways in which conflict can be approached, caused and escalated. The courses also provided teachers with skills to turn destructive conflict into a positive constructive force that can bring about positive change, which is badly needed in South African Schools. The teachers were given lessons on how to integrate peace education principles into their teaching, by becoming role models of non-violence. In 2022, WPDI will reach a total of 8,200 students and 200 teachers in 40 schools in South Africa.
The principal of Abedare Primary School, Mr Wesso, exclaimed that “We are grateful to WPDI for this valuable training as we are experiencing high levels of violence in schools across the Cape Flats. This training has equipped us with tools on how to manage conflict and we hope to have more training for our teachers that will help them to make their classes peaceful spaces. Thank you WPDI”.
The course also covered more general topics such as Human Rights, the South African Legal Framework and Leadership skills. “I have been looking forward to this training so that we can benefit just like our learners. This will help us to communicate the similar language with learners that are taking CRE lessons and together we can boost peace at our school’’ said Ms Melissa Philander, a teacher at Harmony Primary School.
The training sessions were interactive, as teachers shared their experiences and the challenges they face on a daily basis due to conflicts between learners. Such exchanges helped them to realize the extent to which teachers can play a fundamental role in peacebuilding in the communities.
All in all, the courses provided teachers with skills to turn destructive conflict into a positive constructive force that can bring about positive change which is badly needed in South African Schools. They learned how to integrate peace education principles into their teaching, by becoming role models of non-violence. Having the most direct, sustained contact with learners, their potential for sensitizing young people on values and attitudes of peace and nonviolence is immense.
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