Teacher to protect pupils from sexual violence
BY WANJALA .B. DANSON
Head teachers and school management committees from Kakamega County have been advised to work closely to mitigate sexual offences among pupils.
Western Education Advocacy and Program (WEAP) officer Ms Silira Muganda articulated the increasing drop outs in the region to sexual violence.
Speaking during sensitization forum for school management on mitigation of sexual gender based violence, Ms Muganda pointed out that both head teachers and school committees should safeguard children from sexual abuses.
She pointed at TSC circular no.3/2010 that demanded teachers to protect pupils against sexual abuse and also offer assistance in the event of abuse.
The same document she said, called on the community to report such cases whether at school or outside to report to the children department or any organization dealing with child protection issues.
WEAP children protection officer Ms Margaret Wambani asked the community to work collectively with Legal Institutions to ensure children rights to education, health, food and shelter are met.
According to the organization’s statistics 16 per cent of primary school drop outs were as a result of sexual abuse.
She urged guardians to be close and vigilant to notice sexual harassment which could manifest as poor performance, early pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, loss of mistrust and sexually transmitted diseases.
The officer also warned on the repugnant cultural practices like early marriage that abuse the girl child’s rights.
The forum which was held at Kakamega County Hall was attended by head teachers and school committees from 10 primary schools drawn within Kakamega County.