A few years ago in Mahakali Higher Secondary School, teachers walked into classrooms with sticks to discipline students for bad behaviour, failure to do homework, talking in class and other actions they deemed as misbehaviour. As a result, many of the children dropped out of school. Quarrels and fights among students were frequent and often violent while the teachers remained indifferent.
UMN Mugu Cluster and the School for Peace Programme decided to launch an awareness programme to speak about the importance of peace and harmony in the school. A club Jagriti Bal, was formed and today this club is actively involved in advocating and maintaining peace in schools. Teachers no longer carry sticks to class and fights among the students have significantly reduced. School management committees are keen to solve disputes in less confrontational ways that promote peace rather than aggravate anger.