TEACHERS SIGN A COMITMENT TO PROTECT CHILDREN By Masika Scovia

When parents take their children to school, it means that they fully entrust teachers to protect their children from any form of abuse that happen in and outside the school environment. While some teachers are looked at as mentors for these pupils, others are actually guardians or even parents for these children. They look up to them as their role models in their communities. However, we have had some instances where teachers have been perpetuators of violence in the schools and communities.

Some teachers engage children in hard labor like fetching water from long distances, sexual relations (defilement) and administering corporal punishments like heavy beating and making them carry heavy items and kneel for long hours under scorching sunshine. These have led to some of the children in schools drop out  and or perform poorly in class or even have very low self-esteem and also increase cases of child marriages.

KALI with funds from IDF have held several engagements with the teachers, parents and other local leaders on how, together, we can promote and protect the rights of children at school and in the communities they live.

In the district dialogue meeting held on 16^th june 2016, at Rwenzori International Hotel in Kasese, teachers signed a commitment with KALI and other district stakeholders to continue protecting and promoting the rights of children. This was witnessed by the Kasese District Vice Chairperson LCV Mr. Elly Magwara, who wished that every teacher in the district signs such commitment, so that they prioritize children’s issues. They specifically committed to the following;

1.       Treat Children with equal respect irrespective of gender, status, religion, race, ethnicity, political views or sexuality.

2.       Respect the privacy of children and sensitive nature of Histories

3.       Only come into physical contact of children at times of absolute need

4.       Act appropriately around children in respect of language and behavior.

5.       Avoid situations in which I will be alone with a child

6.       Not invite children in my Home/Quarters/isolated place unless accompanied by an adult or at times of absolute need

7.       Not engage any child in any form of sexual act, sexual exploitation or abuse of any nature

8.       Not misuse technological resources for the purpose of exploiting children

9.       Comply with the relevant International Human Rights treaties and domestic laws regarding the rights of a child.

We believe this will increase vigilance of teachers in the struggle to take care of the pupils and showing them what is right or wrong. More so, since the project is closing, this is a sustainability strategy that teachers will continue to act as watch dogs to ensure that the rights of children are protected with no compromise.