MoES releases baseline report on violence against children in West Nile

The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) has released the West Nile sub-region Violence Against Children (VAC) Baseline Survey Report under the Safety and Protection of Children sub-component of the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP).

The findings were presented by consultant Dr Obong Peter during a high-level dissemination meeting organised by Windle Trust International held at the Adjumani district council hall.

District leaders from Adjumani, Obongi, and Moyo, headteachers, District Education Officers (DEOs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), and education stakeholders, were present.

The survey was conducted across nine districts, Adjumani, Moyo, Terego, Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha, Madi-Okollo, Obongi, and Arua, to generate evidence to strengthen child protection in secondary schools and institutions of learning.

The consultant, Dr Obong Peter, who presented the report, emphasised its purpose. “The report’s primary goal is to generate baseline data on Violence Against Children in Schools (VACiS) aligned with the National Strategic Plan (NSP VACiS 2015–2020).

Originally, the survey targeted 60 schools: 1,294 students (634 male, 660 female). “Actual coverage reached 51 schools, 1,003 students (505 male, 498 female),” Dr Obong said.

Dr Obong further stressed the protective measures in place to prevent the vice in schools.

“74.5% of schools had integrated child protection in their School Development Plans. Common activities included guidance & counselling which is at (21.7%), VAC sensitisation (17.8%) menstrual hygiene management (17.1%) and their barriers that have been identified and these are financial limitations (57.1%), lack of skills (21.4%) which has made Windle train some teachers across the West Nile sub-region.

68.6% of teachers had received training on VAC-related topics, 25.5% had no training, 80% of the training in 2024 was conducted by NGOs (65%) and the topics covered were forms of VAC & prevention (17.1%), guidance & counselling (17.1%) and reporting & referral pathways (13%), Peter stated.

During discussions, district leaders emphasised similar concerns where Dima Robert, the Adjumani district Education Officer, stated: “Poor parenting is one of the causes of violence among the students. Weekly barazas expose learners to bad peer groups.”

“We need regular parents’ meetings to create awareness on better parenting methods,” Dima stated.

The headteacher, Jomaring Japeth Joel of Idiwa Parent Secondary in Obongi district said: “Financial challenges, early and forced marriages, and girls’ lack of sexual and reproductive health information are contributing factors.”

The Resident District Commissioner of Obongi district Samuel Mpibaza Hasaka, during his closing remarks, highlighted the various drivers and perpetrators of violence against children in the region.

The RDC called for a joint effort to curb the vice. “We are doing worse than Karamoja and as far as children are concerned, especially those at school and those who are supposed to be at school. And I want to say we are at a crisis level. Early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and defilement are the order of the day.

“So, we have to put our efforts together to make sure we stop this violation of the children’s rights because we, the stakeholders, and the parents are not doing enough,” said Hasaka.

The program manager of Windle Trust International, Julius Ochen recommended “strengthen training and capacity building, regular VACiS training for teachers, administrators, students, and school governance structures; increase resource allocation to boost funding to support child protection activities and infrastructure.”

He also recommended improved reporting and referral systems to create confidential, accessible, and student-friendly reporting channels, support vulnerable learners to introduce counselling, flexible academic schedules, scholarships, and childcare support for teenage mothers.

Additionally, he recommended enhanced community and parental engagement by expanding community sensitisation to reduce stigma and promote child protection awareness.

District leaders in the Madi praised the ministry for spearheading the assessment and made a commitment to using the findings to improve the safety and well-being of learners.

They pledged to collaborate with MoES, NGOs, and school administration to close the identified gaps and ensure safe, inclusive, and protective learning environments in all schools.