Child Protection Training in Kikooba; an international EUAV cooperation

MONDO and the EUAV program launched a comprehensive support program for Kikooba Infant and Primary School. The first step was to establish a boarding section in order to ameliorate the services of the school and to find income generating activity. The next step was a child protection training for the teachers and other employees of the school.

Child abuse is a common phenomena in Uganda. The practice of corporal punishment like canning, burning, hanging from the ceiling is still an everyday way of discipline. Verbal abuse and humiliation of the children is also common. The Ugandan government tries to act against these practices by banning them by law however the police has not much capacity to deal with these cases especially that these incidents are normally not reported. As a good sign some of the schools started to realize the harmful effects of these practices and try to fight against them. Kikooba Infant and Primary school is one of them. When we brainstormed with the Head Teacher how to move on with the school support project he himself rose the topic and asked me to organise a child protection training for the schools staff.

Concerning the question of violence in schools Uganda is not unique. Most of the countries in the region (if not all) are affected. MONDO already has successful projects in Kenya regarding child protection. Marine, EUAV in Shianda, Kenya is an education expert whose special field is safe school environment. Marine is providing trainings for teachers regarding this topic in several Kenyan schools since six months. Due to her expertise and experience it was not a question that an international EUAV cooperation would be the best solution for Kikooba. Marine happily accepted my invitation and thanks to MONDO’s support she could visit Uganda to hold a 2-day workshop for the Ugandan teachers.

The workshop was focusing on attitudes towards learners, violence in school and the importance of positive discipline. During the training the teachers were invited to share their opinion, motivations and ideas about these topics. By using interactive methods like group work and role plays Marine made the group to brainstorm together on the sensitive topics. The teachers learnt about the difference between punishment and discipline. Violent punishment is a biological act which triggers fear and blocks learning however discipline meant to develop the students’ behaviour and to teach self-control and confidence on focusing what the students should learn. The teachers were asked to refresh their best and worst memories from their school ages and draw parallel with their behaviour in the school as a teacher. Then by a role play they were asked in groups to act an example of punishment and   positive discipline. By the games the teachers could familiarise with alternative discipline measures and could reinforce their good practices.  

The teachers will to participate and honest sharing of their opinion is very promising. By talking about the taboo of child abuse we could start a dialogue which could affect positive changes in a long term.  Quote from Isimail, the Head Teacher on teachers’ responsibility to create a safe environment which assures learning and development:

“We might be different by colours but we do the same services!”