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Carmell A. Williams – Peace Education Teacher – Pamela Kay High School – Lower Virginia, Montserrado County, Liberia
Before peace education was introduce into Pamela Kay High School, most students were disrespectful and not law abiding. Students did not take instructions from teachers, students constantly steal from other students (anything from cell phone to notebooks), and fighting among themselves.

Today, as a result of teaching peace education, I can humbly say that our student’s lives are gradually improving from violent to peaceful behaviors. Through our teachings, students have come to learn the importance of peaceful co-existence. For example, a student called Emerald cell phone was stolen from her bag by one of her classmate. Instead of using violence methods to find her phone which was the norm before peace education, she opted to use her investigative skills and knowledge she acquired from the course. As a result, Emerald was able to locate her phone without using violence.

Peace Education subject is definitely having a tremendous success in our school. I am currently teaching two classes (7th & 8th) graders approximately 70 students. Out of this number, about 75% of the student’s behavior has changed from violent to non-violent. They are no longer abusive, they don’t talk rudely to teachers or their fellow schoolmates, they follow instructions, and they respect other students irrespective of their tribal or religious affiliations.

In addition, some of the peaceful attributes emerging from teaching peace education – students are becoming more aware of their principles and values. Students now understand what it means to be principles minded, hence, making it difficult to compromise their values for their own selfish gains.

For me teaching peace education has giving me a sense of real peace building in Liberia. Observing my students greeting teachers before entering classes, being attentive during class discussions, and not fighting on the school grounds is a very good signal of peace in the right direction for our country.

Furthermore, I can gracefully say that the impact of peace education is just not confine within the gates our school, but even more importantly our students are reaching into the local communities and settling disputes, which in most cases without their intervention would have led to violent conflict.

Teaching peace is not only rewarding – but it is an urgent necessity for building sustainable peace in the minds of our students who are accustoms to violent lifestyle because of the brutal civil war which engulfed Liberia for 13 years.    

As a peace education teacher, the more I see my students smiling, hugging, and laughter, instead of insulting or fighting it makes me happy, and gives me the inter strength to keep on teaching peace education.

3 Comments
 
 
Mr. Sam B. Massaquoi
Principal, Annie Banks Elementary and Junior High School
Brewerville, Montserrado County

“Peace Education is a good program and I think 15 to 20 years from now, if it continues it will bring about a great change to this country, starting with the young people.

Before Peace Education subject, there were a lot of lawlessness in this school (students fighting teachers, abusive languages from students towards students or teachers, students failing to following administrative instructions), but I can say, that since we started teaching peace education most of these rude behaviors are gradually changing around here. Students are no longer abusive towards their teachers and friends and students are no longer fighting teachers. Peace Education is making a big difference around here and making it easier for us to teach. We spent more time teaching now than solving problems. In fact the students are solving their own problems among themselves.   

Since this program is so important and making a difference in lives of the students, I informed the Center for Peace Education office to please teach the subject five days a week instead of two day a week.

I want to appeal to the President of this country to embrace peace education teaching and ensure that it is included in the curriculum for all of the schools in the country.” 
5 Comments
 
 
Mr. Petequoi D. Bartequoi Sr.
Principal, Gbanjor Public P.M. Session

“Although we are teaching peace education in this institution, I want it be a continue process. This kind of education can help our children who tasted war to adjust their behavior disposition in the contest of conflict resolution.

Since this new method of teaching (peace education) was launched there has been significant change in our students’ behavior. The students are following instructions; they obey their teachers, and they are not fighting often on the school grounds. The students are now resolving their own problems peacefully.  

I suggest to the government that it assist the Center for Peace Education to expand peace education teaching to all fifteen (15) counties in Liberia. When this happen, many of our youths will be transformed from bad behaviors they experienced during the way to good behaviors that peace education is teaching them. This is good thing for our country, because these students are the future leaders.

I want to encourage our youths to take this program (peace education) very serious, because it is in their interest. We the teachers are getting older, the youths will soon be taking our places and peace education is doing the right thing to get them ready for peace in leadership than war.

I also want to say thank you to Center for Peace Education for their voluntary services.”
5 Comments
 
 

Mr. Philip S. Moseray
Peace Education Teacher
Pamela Kay High School
"Since we started teaching peace education in our schools, disciplinary actions against students have reduced; many students are no longer falling in trouble. I can say that peace education is making a great impact in Pamela Kay.
Students are beginning to learn that the absence of peace means the presence of conflict and that anything that characterizes violence is automatically conflict.
To inculcate peace education into the minds of all students would be rewarding because it will dissuade their minds from using violence to seek redress but rather choose the path of dialogue to resolve conflict.
I want to believe that once peace education is funded and can be taught as a subject in all schools, it would help improve the Liberian education system, because as Liberia emerges out of a 14-year war, the behavior of our students who live through the conflict need to be change."

3 Comments
 
 
Mr. Winston Joe
Dean of Students Affairs
Mark J. Richards Memorial High School
St. Paul Bridge, Bushrod Island

“Since the inception of the peace education in our school, the attitude of students is gradually changing and we appreciate the Center for Peace Education.
Peace Education is making a difference in our school and has a great impact on our students. The only problem is that it is a new idea and most students do not want to remain in class during the course and not grip the concept.
I suggest that government comes in to help the Center for Peace Education to fund its work for good of all Liberian youths. We need peace in our classrooms more than ever before.”
5 Comments
 
 
Mr. Takieu Momo Kobba
Principal VOA – 1 Academy Jr. & Sr. High School
“This program is something important, because we believe that teaching peace education will help the school system because students who are studying the course will change their attitudes from violence to non-violence.
If teaching peace education in our schools continues, it will help us do our work without bothering too much resolving conflict.
To sustain peace education in the various schools, government has to embrace it and make it a subject in all public schools across the country.
Teaching peace education in our school has reduced violence among the students. I am asking the government to support the Center for Peace Education and provide incentive for those teaching the subject.”
6 Comments
 
 
Mr. Abel U. J. Kpassawah
Principal, John L. Divine Elementary and Junior High School
“Peace education has helped the students a whole lot in this school and brought a lot of changes among our students.
Peace Education has brought understanding among the students and the students are now solving their own problems because of what they learning from peace education.
My overall view is that the program should be extended and continues to be taught in all schools around the country in order to help school children develop their minds.
If this generation grows up with such training, they will change people’s attitude and transformed the country into a peaceful and stable nation.
I just want to thank the Center for Peace Education founder, Mainlehwon, for the hard work he has done and his continue support in helping our students and teachers of this country."      

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First Post! 04/08/2011
 
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