In recognition of the pressing social issues plaguing young people today, the Student Support Services (SSS) of the Ministry of Education continues to engage parents in meaningful ways, with the view of reversing the statistics.

The SSS conducted the first of three Parenting Workshops for the academic year 2017-2018. The activity targeted mainly parents between the communities of Rose Place and Clare Valley and zoomed in on a number of topical issues. The parents explored how to recognize and prevent sexual abuse in children, conflict resolution, stress management, using technology positively, recognising and preventing gang involvement and discipline versus punishment. The workshop, which took place on 1st and 2nd November, was organized by SSS Coordinator, Jasmine Francois-Creese.

Preventing Gang Involvement session by former law enforcement officer Jonathan Nichols

Conflict Resolution session facilitated by counselor and pastor Ezra Cumberbatch

The Student Support Services was established as a department of the Ministry of Education in 2009 and is located in Frenches, opposite the Sagicor building. The main focus of the SSS is to assist students to develop positive behaviours and the department has been fulfilling its mandate by providing remedial support for students as well as behaviour modification programmes. The SSS also conducts individual and family counseling alongside its parenting programmes. The staff of the SSS consists of counselors and teachers trained in remediation.