Authorities in Kanengo, Lilongwe have described a complaint box as an important tool in fighting child abuse among learners.
The remarks have been made today, 7 June 2024, when officers from Kanengo Police Station opened a complaints box at Chimwansongwe Primary School.
Before opening this box, the officers held an orientation for stakeholders under the safe schools initiative such as teachers, school management committee (SMC) members and child protection workers.
In her remarks, the school’s deputy head teacher, Margret Nkhoma said the coming of a complaint box has given children an easy way of sharing issues that bother them.
Nkhoma said since this initiative started, a lot of issues have come out and authorities have handled them saying this is important in fostering child education.
“We would like to thank you for this initiative because sometimes it is difficult for someone to open up but with this, many children are able to express themselves. As a school, we remain committed to fighting all forms of abuse and I encourage all learners to stand up for their rights,” she said.
Both Group Village headman Nkhalamba and 14-year-old Caroline Gift, a standard six learner, concurred with Nkhoma saying complaints boxes have proved important in fighting abuse in schools saying this encourages learners to express themselves well.
Group Nkhalamba has since pledged to woo his subjects towards fighting child abuse.
“I am very happy with this initiative because it has provided a good medium for our children to express themselves. My plea is that they should be honest so that they don’t just betray their teachers or parents,” he said.
Speaking during the orientation, Sub Inspector Aliyekha Tsekha, one of the community policing officers urged the people to join hands in fighting child abuse.
Tseka said it is difficult for an abused child to learn properly noting that stakeholders should, therefore, work together in fighting the vice.
Safe schools is an initiative which among others, aims at ensuring a conducive environment for learners.