Linden PTA trained to deal with abused children

― parents, teachers urged to take knowledge back to schools, homes, communities

― Reg. 10 has one of the highest rates of child abuse

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, April 27, 2019

The Linden Foundation Guyana Incorporated continues to add to the efforts of improving the education sector in Linden; Their most recent activity was a workshop geared to train teachers, parents and school administrators how to recognise, and respond to cases of neglect and abuse. The two-day workshop was part of the activities held during Linden Town Week.

Annually, the NGO hosts workshops to equip teachers and administrators with various skills needed to perform better in the classrooms.

Facilitator of the workshop, Dr. Ivy Mitchell along with Region 10 REDO, Rabindra Singh.

Teachers and parents of Region 10 participating in the child abuse workshop hosted by Linden Fund.

Participants included teachers, parents and administrator representing the three levels of schooling; Nursery, Primary and Secondary. According to one of the two facilitators, Dr. Ivy Mitchell, there is a need to include parents as well to create an avenue for all parties to collaborate, for the healing of the child. “They are interacting with each other, discussing what they see with abuse and neglect among children and how the three groups can work together for a solution… We are hoping they will go back and share that information with others because there is a desperate need.”

This year teachers from the private schools in the town also participated as well as retired teachers.

Regional Education Officer, Rabindra Singh said Region 10 welcomes the efforts of Linden Foundation Guyana Incorporated to improve the quality of education in Linden. Singh noted that while the emphasis is placed on the academic success of the child, it is crucial to ensure that other aspects of growth such as emotional development are fostered.

“We are concentrating mostly on building the secular knowledge of the children to ensure that can have some form of livelihood but then we often overlook building the character of the child. I feel if we want a holistic improvement of the child, then all stakeholders need to come on board”.

Singh commended the parents who participated in the workshop and noted that they too have a role to play and encouraged them to share their new-found knowledge with others in their homes and communities.

Story and Images: Vanessa Brathwaite.