The late Sir John Sharp, a former Premier, would have been more than delighted over a programme aimed at developing leadership qualities being conducted by Francis Patton Elementary School, under the guidance of Garita Coddington, the principal.

The reason being that in a conversation we had once on changing patterns of behaviour in our schools, Sir John felt it would be good to institute character-building qualities in addition to academics, to improve attitudes in day-to-day interaction.

Even back then, it was becoming noticeable that behaviour in a number of schools was raising eyebrows. Discipline appeared to be slipping from the standard set when teachers had the backing of parents when a student stepped out of line. Things have changed since those days.

At Francis Patton, the school has actively engaged in a leadership programme that all students can benefit from, as they learn early how to practise positive attitudes towards each other. That should be helpful later in their lives, as they encounter day-to-day challenges.

The programme also makes students more sensitive about the importance of interacting with respect for each other, even when their views differ on an issue. It was significant recently when 12 Francis Patton students, including head girl and head boy, along with teacher and parent support, visited the Merrimac Elementary school in New York, where our young pupils were able to interact with other students in a learning experience that could only strengthen their abilities to display positive attitudes, as they progress in efforts to become the solid citizens that Bermuda needs.

What the students are learning, as part of the school’s lighthouse team programme, is that any leader must be willing to listen to other points of view without losing respect for each other in the process.

In Bermuda, there are wonderful schools with dedicated teachers, who have the responsibility of educating and guiding young minds in a world where so much has changed. In tough economic times such as these, parents find themselves scrambling to cope with meeting financial obligations, while trying, at the same time, to teach proper values to their offspring to enable them to become productive citizens.

It is an enormous task, especially since the network of community support prevalent many decades ago, has faded. Children today face numerous distractions that often can slow their progress without special family support and programmes similar to team lighthouse at Francis Patton School.

There are other schools on the island perhaps with similar programmes under a different name, but with the objective of helping to make students more aware of how vital it is to develop respect for each other, both in and out of the classroom.

Nothing is perfect, and there will always be problem students who need special guidance beyond academic studies. We would be living in gross denial if we failed to recognise that over the years our cultural infrastructure has undergone changes that have impacted family life, where children usually get their first exposure to positive and negative experiences.

The programme at Francis Patton might not be the answer to all of our youth problems, but the values being taught could in the future help to build our communities despite the challenges we face. When children learn great values early, it helps understanding when we reflect on words such as: “A little child shall lead them.”

Students involved in such programmes may very well be leaders of tomorrow, who, armed with solid values, can write a new page in Bermuda’s history. There is a great deal of work still to be done, but with each promising student staying focused, the future of Bermuda should be in good hands.