The Ministry of Education (Trinidad and Tobago) has revealed that bullying and violence is a major problem at schools with at least 40 schools being identified as high risk.  [http://www.trinidadexpress.com/videos/-Education-ministry-on-school-violence---291342391.html]

The SILVER LINING FOUNDATION has approached the Ministry with a plan to conduct a National School Climate Survey to determine the nature and scope of bullying in schools across the country so that any policy implemented can be evidence-based and contextually relevant.

The application to conduct such an investigation remains outstanding.

Instead of reacting to violence and bringing children up on criminal charges, shouldn't we try to prevent such behaviours and foster safer school environments? 

OUR PROPOSAL: to administer surveys to approximately 2,500 students from different age groups in thirty three (33) secondary schools across the nation.

The GOAL of the survey is to assess school violence and bullying in order to provide empirical evidence detailing the issues faced by students, and to utilise this information to improve intervention techniques and procedures, and provide teacher training in recognising and dealing with problems among student populations.

If you are a parent, teacher or student and you would like to see well-informed policies and programmes implemented in our nation's school to meet and treat with this problem, then speak up and let your voices be heard.