Scores of teachers have received training in setting up a programme designed to help children express their emotions and reduce levels of aggression and behavioural problems.

Pride Bermuda, which has just celebrated its 30th anniversary, brought in Dorothy Morelli, from Paths Education Worldwide, for a two-day workshop for teachers on the Paths programme, Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies.

Mrs Morelli said: “We find that when a Paths programme is implemented at schools, the children are better able to engage, pay attention and are less likely to be disruptive.

“Studies have shown that for every dollar invested, you get back $21.24 as the children are more likely to get jobs and less likely to end up in prison.

More than 70 teachers, as well as principals and deputy principals, took part in the training at Pride’s offices on Point Finger Road, sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda Foundation.

They will introduce the initiative in other schools and the ultimate goal is to partner with the Ministry of Education and the Pathways to Success project to have Paths in all primary schools across the island.

Mrs Morelli added: “The teachers were enthusiastic and engaged. To see the principals involved showed what a high level of leadership there is with this initiative, which was good to see.”

Pride programme supervisor Samantha Smith said Paths gives students “emotional and social competencies to help reduce aggression and behaviour problems in primary school-aged children while at the same time enhancing the educational process in the classroom”.

Over the past four years, Pride has facilitated an amended version of Paths at Elliot Primary School.

Ms Smith said: “Our data has consistently shown that students are improving in self-control, concentration and empathy in the classroom. There are several stories where children have found their voice.

“One young gentleman, reported to have had some learning challenges and a limited vocabulary was very unsettled at the beginning of the year. By the end of the school year he was expressing himself and complimenting his classmates with statements such as ‘you have a kind spirit in your heart’.

“This is a true testament to how Paths builds empathy in children. This young man showed an increase in emotion vocabulary, was far more settled in class and able to demonstrate kindness to his peers.

“Helping children cope with their emotions, to stop lashing out in anger, has very positive effects on a child’s education, which then leads to positive effects within the community.”

Ms Smith added: “To be able train so many teachers means that the programme will have roots in two pilot schools, Elliot and Heron Bay Primary. The impact of Paths on the students, teachers and even parents will be seen as the programme is delivered with high fidelity.

“Pride is pleased to partner with the Pathways to Success project schools to offer this programme. We are extremely grateful to the Bank of Bermuda Foundation for their commitment to support capacity building and the implementation of social emotional learning programmes, making a significant investment in the future of Bermuda.”