Behavioural programme rolled out in St James

Western Bureau:Emotionally disturbed youngsters in 12 schools, in St James, are now reaping the benefits of a behaviour modification programme initiated to reduce suspension and expulsion rate, which has been plaguing several schools.

The programme, which is being implemented by the parish's Family and Parenting Centre, through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), is being funded by the World Bank and Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF).

The programme first came to the fore in the period March 2011 to March 2012 where 300 parents and caregivers were trained in non-violent and alternative disciplinary skills. Handbooks outlining critical guidelines were also given out.

BENEFICIARIES

According to the organisers of the programme, the direct beneficiaries include 340 females and 320 males inclusive of students, parents, guidance counsellors, teachers and others.

The total cost of implementating the programme was given as J$24.45 million. Forty per cent or $9.70 million was contributed by the community while the JSIF contributed J$13.30 million.

Under the programme, the Family and Parenting Centre also trained some 24 guidance counsellors and deans of discipline and provided them with handbooks to detect and refer children for therapy.

At a recent graduation ceremony for persons who completed the programme, Ayanna Demetrius, project manager of the JSDF at JSIF, said the project was implemented using two components, one of which was the removal of 216 youths partially from the formal school system for five hours per week for behaviour modification therapy.

"Students who participated in this component were those who may have been suspended from school and were exhibiting behaviours indicating that expulsion from school would be the next course of disciplinary action for them," Demetrius explained. "These sessions included life skills development and pro-social behaviour development."

Pull-Out Component

The other element was a Pull-Out Component, which was specially designed for youths in crisis. In the pull-out component, 144 youths were totally pulled out for four weeks at 6 hours daily, a total 120 hours.

"These students were those who had been expelled from the formal school system and were at home or some who had been suspended for an extended period and required the completion of therapy before being admitted back into the school system," said Demetrius. "The students attended full-day sessions at Family and Parenting Centre until signs of readiness to return to mainstream school became evident."

Once the behaviour medication programme was completed, a process to reintegrate participants into the formal school system was undertaken. However, in some instances, some were referred to the Family Court or the Hospital to address mental health problems.

According to Demetrius, the model of violence prevention for youths has the support and endorsement of the Ministry of Education Guidance and Counselling Unit, the Regional Director and the Schools.