Students progress with Zippy’s Friends

The session, which was facilitated by the School Leadership Centre of Trinidad and Tobago, dealt with conflict resolution with a specific focus on bullying.

At the session, the teachers were exposed to possible root causes of bullies and how to handle children who depict characteristics of bullies, and those who are victims of bullying.

The teachers used the peer environment to share ideas and strategies to resolve conflict that can be used in the classroom at in the home.

As the teachers shared their views of the programme, Danielle Massiah, standard one teacher at the Lower Morvant Government Primary School said, “teaching the programme has changed the students.” Giving an example, Massiah indicated that one boy in particular who was always angry about everything came to her and said, “Miss, I’m really trying to change, I want to change this angry face,” a media release stated.

“Zippy has had an impact on my school, there has been so much progress since the start of the programme.” Saleeka Mohammed, principal of the Fiver Rivers Islamia TIA School, stated in the release.

The Zippy’s Friends programme which is sponsored by the Digicel Foundation comprises interactive group sessions with children aged five to eight. The programme assists children with developing their coping and social skills.

The programme has proven to be extremely successful in the schools in both Trinidad and Tobago.

The programme currently takes place in 96 schools and is endorsed by the Ministry of Education.