A first ever positive discipline training for teachers in the Unggai-Bena district of Eastern Highlands Province was held on the 4th-6th of June 2013. The training was run by Eastern Highlands Family Voice (EHFV) in partnership with the Unggai-Bena district administration.
The positive discipline program was developed by Dr. Joan Durrant,PhD, a child– clinical psychologist and professor of family and social sciences at the University of Manitoba, Canada. The concept has been introduced by Save the Children and is now being used by Family Voice.
The approach in positive discipline aims to bring together what is known about optimizing children’s healthy development, findings of research on effective parenting and teaching, and child rights principles to give parents and other caregivers a framework for responding constructively to conflicts with children.
The training brought in 21 selected teachers from 25 primary schools in the Unggai-Bena district. Surprisingly, most were men who attended this training. The facilitators were Mrs Jean Jano and Mrs Olivia Ivano who are both certified trainers in positive discipline.
Most men who attended this training said that it was an eye opener for them and made them realize how ignorant they have been to their families and they were determined to go back and get things right with their children and wives.
Acting District Administrator for Unggai Bena Mr Jonthan Resis thanked Family Voice for the training under the partnership program between Family Voice and his district administration.
