The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, through the Gender Unit has concluded a three-day training on School-Related Gender-Based Violence in Pujehun.

The training took place at the Roman Catholic Primary School for Boys in Pujehun.

Speaking to Radio Wanjei, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Gender Unit, Ann Lilian Julian Konneh, said the training aims to engage different stakeholders on School-Related Gender-Based Violence as the ministry implements all-school approach minimal standards.

She said the ministry has recognized that Gender-Based Violence is currently prevalent within the school environment, causing damage in areas such as dropouts, group exclusion, teenage pregnancy, early marriage, extortion, discrimination, corporal punishment, among others.

Madam Konneh mentioned that in 2019, the UN Girls Education Initiative conducted research on School-Related Gender-Based Violence and identified various violations affecting girls in different schools.

She stated that UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Education in implementing policies around SRGBV reduction, prevention, and referral.

Madam Konneh emphasized that, this is not the first time the ministry has conducted these trainings.

She said in 2022, the ministry trained about 40 participants per district and added that last year, UNICEF targeted three districts where a good number of teachers were selected for additional training.

She revealed that four districts have been identified this year to benefit from the School Related Gender Based Violence UNICEF-funded training which includes, Kambia, Bonth, Kono, and Pujehun districts, respectively.

Madam Konneh reiterated that corporal punishment is a human rights violation and said it leads to school dropouts, stress, absenteeism, truancy, low participation in the classroom, reduced learner participation, and other negative effects.

She stated that SRGBV is a global issue and promised that the ministry will reach other participants.

However, she pleaded with the participants to share the knowledge gained with other teachers to help eradicate School-Related Gender-Based Violence.

Madam Konneh reechoed that the Ministry of Education sector main goal is to improve learning outcomes in the areas of formative and cumulative evaluation to help children achieve their education.

The Deputy Director said, since 2013, Pujehun District registered high data in Gender Base Violence (GBV) HIV, early marriages, teenage pregnancy, dropouts, and called on everyone to provide a safe environment for children.

The Free Quality Assurance Officer Thomas Abu, on behalf of his Ministry in Pujehun district said, the essence of the training is to capacitate participants with the requisite requirement to provide a protective environment for children.

He said, the training has commenced because parliament has approved the Gender Act, and it is necessary to raise awareness on Gender-Based Violence that is happening in schools and at the community level.

Tom said one hundred participants participated in the training, including head teachers, SMC, CTA, traditional leaders, inter-religious council, and many more.