‘Education is the road to peace’

While universal education is sometimes disregarded by many, as it is perceived to teach only academic lessons, Adrian Johnson firmly believes that it also teaches individuals how to interact with one another, and to accept and tolerate the differences that others bring to the table, thus creating a culture of peace. The eloquent Johnson, of the Youth Training Centre (YTC) Government School, quietly listed his points and supporting arguments on Friday, the final day of the second preliminary round of the RBTT Roytec Young Leaders Debate. Stating that universal education from the time a child is born, Johnson claimed it also included daily experiences gleaned from one’s life. He acknowledged that education serves to counteract social injustice, and should not be taken for granted.

He was ably backed up by colleague Javon Charles, who added that socialisation was an important factor which determined whether peace existed in society, and ultimately among mankind. Presenting arguments for “Be it resolved that Universal Education is the key requirement for the Peaceful Co-existence of Mankind,” both Johnson and Charles respectively argued that parents had a key role to play in establishing peace as children can be taught this principle from a young age, and that if they were socialised properly, less conflict would develop among people. They were also quick to point out that the opposing statement of “Be it resolved that Creative Leadership is the key requirement for the Peaceful Co-existence of Mankind” was not true as US president, George W Bush, and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, were two well-educated men who used their knowledge for the destruction of mankind. Opposing the motion was the team representing Cowen Hamilton Secondary School, led by Cherise Quash and Ken Charles, who said while education is important, it was imperative that a person be taught via a framework of values.

Claiming that if society lacked strong families, it would eventually crumble, Quash revealed the reasoning behind this argument as she quoted “peace is not in the absence of war, and is something which cannot taught, but something which has to be in the hearts of men.”
Adding leverage to her argument, colleague Charles stated no amount of education can touch the heart of a man, and that being well educated does not automatically mean you are peaceful, but that universal education definitely aided the process of making right and wrong decisions.

Admitting that universal education can help to eradicate poverty, Charles also said people still needed to be trained, employment obtained, and skills taught, if peace was to exist among mankind. He concluded by stating that, just like universal education served to produce a lawyer or a doctor, it also contributed to the creation of rapists and computer hackers. Concluding the second preliminary round yesterday, the third preliminary round will be held from March 10-12, with 14 schools having successfully advanced to this round of competition, along with two reserves.
Schools which were successful in advancing are as follows:
1.   St Anthony’s College
2.   Fatima College
3.   Naparima Girls’ High School
4.   St Mary’s College
5.   St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando
6.   Diego Martin Junior Secondary
7.   El Dorado Secondary
8.   ASJA Girls’ College, Tunapuna
9.   Morvant Laventille Secondary
10. Woodbrook Government Secondary
11. St Charles High School
12. Queen’s Royal College
13. Barataria Junior Secondary
14. Youth Training Centre Government School
15. St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph
16. St Augustine Girls’ High School