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MORE than 7,000 primary school students have so far been sensitized in the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Tell campaign which aims at empowering children to disclose any form of violence, particularly sexual violence. This was disclosed by Project Officer of the campaign’s implementing agency, ChildLink Guyana, Ms.Kean Chase, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.
According to her, two of the three phases of the campaign have been completed, with teachers and parents from 151 schools in regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3(Essequibo Islands/West demerara), 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica), 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) and Central Georgetown being trained.
She added that in 2011, 101 parents and 141 teachers were trained, while in 2012 76 parents and141 teachers were trained, all from Grades three and six.
Ms. Chase indicated that during the period of December 2012- January 2013, the evaluation and monitoring aspect of the campaign was done, where they visited the various schools to see how the campaign is being implemented and what can be done to improve the training of the teachers.
According to her, parents have indicated that the campaign has made it easier for them to impart knowledge to their children about sexual violence.
She noted that due to the frequent transfer of teachers, it is hard to keep track of those teachers who were already trained, and as such she is encouraging teachers to sensitize the other teachers in their school.
Ms. Chase also said that she is encouraging school welfare officers to have a more proactive approach in dealing with cases, as everyone has a role to play in the campaign.
She indicated that in the third phase of the campaign, which begins in the second week in February, they aim to cover all schools in regions 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), 1(Barima/ Waini) and 9 (upper Takatu/ Essequibo).
Meanwhile, also speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Programme Director of ChildLink Guyana, Ms. Omattie Madray said that the agency has been working closely with the Ministry of Education, as well as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on this campaign.
She informed that ChildLink’s role has been to train teachers and Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) executives to roll out the campaign in their schools.
Ms. Madray disclosed that the first phase was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the second by the British High Commission, and the third phase will be supported by UNICEF.
She noted that additional resources have also been provided by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Scotia Bank towards the implementation of the campaign.
According to her, in all the phases of the implementation process, the aim was to work with at least 90 primary schools with three teachers from each school and three members of their Parent/Teachers Association (PTA).
Ms. Madray indicated that training for the third phase will be conducted during the period of February-April, and during the period of May- June the monitoring and evaluation will be done.
She said that consistency is very important in the delivery of this campaign, as well as following procedures for reporting cases of abuse.
Teachers have the responsibility in rolling out the campaign at the classroom level by way of Tell posters which carry six simple messages – identifying safe and unsafe touches and letting children know it’s not okay to keep it a secret, and urging them to tell a loved one about it.
These posters will be discussed thoroughly in the classroom for 20 minutes in six consecutive weeks.
There’s also a Tell box, which provides the additional opportunity for the child to tell their teacher if they are being abused, as they can write or draw and drop it in the box which is checked by teachers at regular intervals.
According to her, two of the three phases of the campaign have been completed, with teachers and parents from 151 schools in regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3(Essequibo Islands/West demerara), 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica), 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) and Central Georgetown being trained.
She added that in 2011, 101 parents and 141 teachers were trained, while in 2012 76 parents and141 teachers were trained, all from Grades three and six.
Ms. Chase indicated that during the period of December 2012- January 2013, the evaluation and monitoring aspect of the campaign was done, where they visited the various schools to see how the campaign is being implemented and what can be done to improve the training of the teachers.
According to her, parents have indicated that the campaign has made it easier for them to impart knowledge to their children about sexual violence.
She noted that due to the frequent transfer of teachers, it is hard to keep track of those teachers who were already trained, and as such she is encouraging teachers to sensitize the other teachers in their school.
Ms. Chase also said that she is encouraging school welfare officers to have a more proactive approach in dealing with cases, as everyone has a role to play in the campaign.
She indicated that in the third phase of the campaign, which begins in the second week in February, they aim to cover all schools in regions 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), 1(Barima/ Waini) and 9 (upper Takatu/ Essequibo).
Meanwhile, also speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Programme Director of ChildLink Guyana, Ms. Omattie Madray said that the agency has been working closely with the Ministry of Education, as well as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on this campaign.
She informed that ChildLink’s role has been to train teachers and Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) executives to roll out the campaign in their schools.
Ms. Madray disclosed that the first phase was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the second by the British High Commission, and the third phase will be supported by UNICEF.
She noted that additional resources have also been provided by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Scotia Bank towards the implementation of the campaign.
According to her, in all the phases of the implementation process, the aim was to work with at least 90 primary schools with three teachers from each school and three members of their Parent/Teachers Association (PTA).
Ms. Madray indicated that training for the third phase will be conducted during the period of February-April, and during the period of May- June the monitoring and evaluation will be done.
She said that consistency is very important in the delivery of this campaign, as well as following procedures for reporting cases of abuse.
Teachers have the responsibility in rolling out the campaign at the classroom level by way of Tell posters which carry six simple messages – identifying safe and unsafe touches and letting children know it’s not okay to keep it a secret, and urging them to tell a loved one about it.
These posters will be discussed thoroughly in the classroom for 20 minutes in six consecutive weeks.
There’s also a Tell box, which provides the additional opportunity for the child to tell their teacher if they are being abused, as they can write or draw and drop it in the box which is checked by teachers at regular intervals.
