At least 25 secondary school teachers from three schools in Torit Municipal Council in Eastern Equatoria State are undergoing a three-day training in peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Torit Town.
The training which started on Wednesday is organized by Whitaker Peace Development Initiative (WPDI) and aims at orienting the teachers to deal with their learners using peaceful approaches whenever conflict ensues.
According to the teachers, there is a rise in violent youth gangs in Torit which they say is a threat to learners.
Emmanuel Oduho Obullu, the WPDI facilitator in Torit, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that creating a conducive learning environment starts with the teachers and requires peace.
“We felt it very important to offer this training to our secondary teachers so that they can be exemplary to their learners. Peace is a collective responsibility and the teachers will use the skills they gain in their field of operation,” he said. “To drive this life needs a peaceful state of mind so by doing this, teachers will have confidence even in their profession. My message to all teachers is that they have to create a noble and peaceful environment since they are the immediate people at the grassroots.”
“It is very important that teachers apply these skills to create a conducive environment for learners,” Oduho added.
Victoria Kulang Mathias, a female teacher at Dr. John Garang Memorial Secondary School, said the training will help her to address challenges with unruly students.
“Schools bring students from different backgrounds, some are stubborn and others criminals but this training teaches us ways to handle such situations,” she said. “Also, in schools, we have peace clubs where we can discuss issues of how we can make peace and sustain it. There are challenges between students and teachers sometimes and when we do not control our anger, we shall end up fighting with students.”
Kulang said she has learned how to create a friendly environment for learners at school.
Another teacher, Tito Arkangelo Haworu of Torit Day Secondary School said it is a privilege to attend the training that empowers him to ensure students coexist peacefully.
“First, I am now a peace ambassador to my students and in turn will train them to be peace ambassadors,” he said. “We have the challenge of violent youth gangs called niggers who fight at school and last term some of them fought using pangas within the school.”
“Now with this knowledge of conflict resolution, I can help in mitigating students’ problems in the future,” Haworu added.
He urged parents to be involved in the upbringing of their children to reduce anti-social behavior in society.
The teachers attending the training came from Torit Day Secondary School, Fr. Saturlino Ohure Secondary School, and Dr. John Garang Memorial Senior Secondary in Torit town. Other stakeholders from the state peacebuilding ministry, education ministry, and Torit Municipal Council are also in attendance.