The training which was held at the Brikama Kabafita Lower Basic School was meant to equip the students in the establishment of child protection groups in schools through greater awareness.
Haruna Badjie a representative of the Department of Social Welfare in an address he delivered at the training told the participants: “The objective and expected outcome of the training is to create child rights awareness among students, facilitate establishment of child protection groups in basic and secondary schools, enhance establishment of network of child protection groups in the Kombo Central District, and have a child protection central person at the Regional Education Directorate 2 to facilitate the coordination and supervise the establishment and affairs of school child protection groups. I urge all other stakeholders to emulate Saamasang Federation in order for more of such training to take effects.
Nfamara Darboe, child and communication officer at Child Fund told the participants that their wish is to promote child welfare and that equipping students at the upper grades was an achievement. He called on school authorities and other partners within the school system to collaborate with the trainees in their respective schools in order to uplift the welfare of children.
Kemo Bah of Regional Education Directorate 2 said his office is concerned over child safety highlighting that safeguarding their interest is key on his ministry’s operation. He called on the concern and relevant institutions working for child development to redouble their efforts towards child advancement.
Meanwhile, during the two-day training, the children brainstormed and agreed on the need to form child protection groups in schools and the process to be taken up seriously. Under the guidance of the trainer from RED 2, each school developed its action plan on how to disseminate the knowledge gained from the training, and on the formation of the groups. Key points in the plans include report to the school authorities on Mondays, report to students during weekly school assembly and organise meetings to establish child protection groups.
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