Approximately seven hundred (700) students of the Chaguanas South Secondary School attended the “Student Empowerment Peace Over Violence Caravan” held at the school on Thursday 27th September, 2018. This initiative is a crime prevention programme aimed at reducing acts of indiscipline in schools in the Central area. The event was held following a meeting at the Education Towers between the Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education and the Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith where it was agreed that the Ministry of Education and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service would combine resources to continue reducing indiscipline in high risk schools and providing a sense of safety and security for staff and students.
Addressing the students, Dr. the Honourable Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education cautioned them about the consequences of perpetrating physical violence against fellow students, especially females. He stressed the importance of displaying good behavior in school at all times.
One of the highlights of the event was a crime prevention skit put on by members of the Two Cents Movement. There was also an enlightening performance by a traditional Carnival Pierrot Grenade character and stirring testimonials by Embassy of the United States of America officials Michael Barrera and Monica Morse and an inmate currently serving a prison sentence. The Ryu Dan Dojo of Chaguanas used their fighting style to demonstrate to the students that by diligently practicing the martial arts, they can become winners in life.
The “Student Empowerment Peace Over Violence Caravan” is the brainchild of Head of the Community Police Central Division Corporal Jacey Small and the President of the Singles Fathers’ Association Rhondall Felles. The first edition of the Caravan began in October, 2017 and was held at the Chaguanas North Secondary School, with the second edition occurring in May, 2018 at Couva West Secondary School.