Students at two of the Island’s primary schools have graduated from the Gang Resistance Education and Training programme.

The programme, which targets P5 and P6 students, is made up of six 30 to 45 minute lessons to help them practise positive decision making when faced with difficult choices while developing a bond between law enforcement and youth.

“Each lesson is accompanied by a family letter that the student takes home explaining the lesson and encouraging parent/student interaction,” a Government spokeswoman said.

“One special feature of the curriculum is the activity about bullying behaviours. This activity uses a pervasive and realistic problem to prompt student discussion and the development of positive solutions.”

The programme has been introduced at the Gilbert Institute, Harrington Sound Primary, Somerset Primary and West End Primary, and will be rolled out at Elliot and Paget Primary Schools next month. More than 200 students are expected to go through the programme by the end of this school year.

National Security Minister Michael Dunkley congratulated the students, noting that the Middle School components of the programme would be introduced in the fall semester.

“We are pleased to do whatever we can do in preparing our youth to make positive lifestyle choices and to make valuable contributions to this community,” he said.