KESAB environmental solutions developed, promoted and evaluated a School Graffiti Prevention Resource for primary and secondary schools in ten local government areas.
The resources were developed for teachers to undertake a ‘workshop’ style classroom lesson(s) with year 7, 8 and 9 students. Schools were provided with a totally self-contained package including a lesson(s) plan complete with support material.
The materials were designed to educate students about:
- victims of graffiti (business, residential, transit and schools)
- the visual differences of graffiti versus legitimate art (street/urban art)
- incidences of graffiti, where graffiti occurs, who writes graffiti and why
- the criminal charges for graffiti and the personal, social and economic costs of graffiti.
The program materials were offered to year 7 teachers in 79 primary schools. At the completion of the project, 51 schools ordered and received packs, equating to 55% of schools participating.
The materials were offered to year 8 and 9 teachers in 52 secondary schools. A total of 49 schools ordered and received packs, equating to 94% of schools participating.
The following key comments and feedback was received from teachers.
- Kids became very involved in discussions after watching the DVD and this led to much reporting on graffiti in the area.
- The activities promoted great discussion amongst the students.
- Students pointed out more desks that needed a clean and reported graffiti in the toilets more.
- Students were much more aware and had strong opinions.
- Role playing in the DVD had a strong impact on students.