TRAINING HEADTEACHERS IN A SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

 

ED RIC-NET explaining the outcomes of the project

The head teachers of secondary and primary schools in Kibiito town council agreed to create a safe school environment for the students and pupils upon embarking on a safe school environment training from Rwenzori Information Centers Network (RIC-NET) and RIDE AFRICA (Bunyangabu cluster) to prevent violence against children/adolescents in schools. This was pointed out during a one-day orientation meeting at Travellers nest hotel in Kibiito town council, Bunyangabu district. Regardless of the many existing laws concerning the rights of children and their upbringing, violence against children in all its forms has continued to prevail in society and schools leaving the children at the Centre stage of vulnerability.

A headteacher giving her view about safe school environment

The project was introduced to the head teachers by the ED RIC-NET John Silco and all the outcomes of the project were explained and especially outcome three which is “A safe school environment that enables children to complete their primary and secondary education cycle strengthened.” The activities under this outcome were further explained to the head teachers and these were Conducting an orientation meeting for head teachers on the creation of a safe school environment in the selected primary and secondary schools in Kibiito TC, Conducting training of 2 days for focal teachers in a safe school, Focal teachers organizing learning and reflection sessions on safe school environment targeting teaching and non-teaching staff, Supporting schools to form children clubs and train children leaders as platforms of learning and peer support, Holding 2 days training of SMC/PTA in developing and enforcing school rules and policies that promote safe school environment,  Supporting Schools to organize learning forums, sessions such as debates, MDD, discussion groups, School Management committees organizing meetings to develop and popularize policies. The head teachers appreciated the program and were willing to work with the Bunyangabu cluster to create safe school environments in Kibiito town council.

The DEO making his presentation

The DEO Bunyangabu district Mr. Rubalema Moses Sunday as the chief guest made a presentation about a safe school environment according to the ministry of Education and called upon the head teachers to avoid violence against children because it dehumanizes them. He further encouraged the head teachers to have idea boxes to track the problems the pupils and students are experiencing in the school and there should be specific teachers with the key to this idea box so that the children and students can express themselves freely. He sounded a warning to everybody who mistreats a child and condemned violence in all its forms.