Introduction

• Violence, traditionally considered both a criminal justice and human rights issue, is also now recognised as a developmental issue as it can affect both social and economic development.
• A number of Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, are plagued by high levels of violence.
• The issue of violence against and amongst children in particular is recognised as a serious problem.
• Schools, typically thought to be a ‘safe haven’ for children, are increasingly becoming a site of violence for children.

Methodology

The Change from Within (CFW) programme in Jamaica is a school-based programme aimed at addressing violence and indiscipline through school culture change. It has been in operation since 1992, and has been implemented by the School of Education at UWI since 2002. The programme utilises a participatory action research approach alongside an eight-tiered methodology which focuses on elements such as training and capacity-building, mentoring, involvement of parents and children, and new pedagogies (see Figure One).

Results

Over the years, the programme has:

• Built the capacity of stakeholders in areas such as leadership; mentorship; conflict management and restorative justice; interpersonal relationships; teamwork; and time management.
• Trained teachers in methodologies including: project-based learning, use of the arts, and the use of silence and meditation.
• Built self-esteem and confidence amongst students through mentoring and coaching.
• Empowered school stakeholders to initiate and own change processes within their schools.

Conclusion

Through its methodology, the CFW programme has been successful in bringing about school cultural change from cultures characterised by violence and indiscipline to cultures characterised by peace, respect, positive interpersonal relationships, and high-self-esteem, all of which bolsters academic achievement.

Relevance

• Findings and lessons learned from the programme arecontributing tothe body of research on violence amongst children and youth.
• The CFW model can be replicated in other schools in Jamaica and in other Caribbean countries.