Behaviour management techniques in the classroom

"Behaviour Management Techniques in the Classroom" was the title of a seminar for staff of Erin Serracino Inglott Girls' Secondary School, Cospicua, organised last month by the Ministry of Education together with the Education Division at The Victoria hotel in Sliema.

Educational psychologist Carmel Cefai, an authority on behavioural problems in Maltese schools, led the seminar. He started with a brainstorming session, during which participants aired the problems facing the school in general, both in and outside the classroom. These were listed down and used by Dr Cefai to speak about why students misbehave, dividing the causes into long- and short-term ones.

The participants later worked in groups on a case study of a new teacher in a school. Each group had to identify the main problems with the teacher and suggest remedies.

A short video clip introduced the afternoon session. This was followed by a discussion. The seminar closed with participants talking about one strategy they were going to take with them to use in the classroom.