Final project evaluation with the teachers 

Evaluation 1: Group meeting

The end of project evaluation exercise took place in two formats. The first was a group meeting immediately after the end of the Peace Clubs for the summer holidays. Here, the four teachers spoke about enjoying the opportunity of facilitating the students in the Peace Clubs. They all agreed the Peace Clubs has added to their experience and confidence of addressing issues around violence, conflict, and peace with the students. They also indicated that in various degrees it’s had a positive impact on how they deal with interpersonal conflict both at school and in their personal life.

On a practical level, they also felt it was a good idea to provide snacks to the students during their weekly meeting. Although it was indicated that due to the cost-of-living prices had increased so only a basic snack could be provided. My suggestion on this was that they should work with their school’s Home Economic department on providing a local solution.

The main criticism of the project was that it is only running for one term and that they would also like to run it in the new term when students get back from the summer holiday in one form or another. From interaction with the students of the Peace Club, the teacher felt that the students also benefited from it and that the arts methodology worked very well with senior secondary school students. The students especially liked being given a voice to present their ideas to the rest of the students in the schools via the whole school assembly presentation at the end of each month.

Evaluation 2: Formal questionnaire

The second evaluation exercise was that the teachers were formally asked to write their replies to the following questions:

1. How important was it to first have the 3 Day Facilitators training workshop?

2. What activities did you enjoy from the Facilitators workshop?

3. From the 3-month Peace Clubs how useful did you find the focus on Violence, Conflict and Peace?

4. What other topics could we have covered?

5. On reflection how has the project helped you with regards how you see and deal with the issues of violence, conflict and peace?

6. How do you feel the focus of using art, drama and songs as a vehicle for working with teenagers on violence, conflict and peace added value to your school Peace Club?

For the unedited answers to these questions and an insight into the next steps for the Peace Clubs see the Peace Club Project Report.

Photo credit: Ovinuchi Ejiohuo