STARS Foundation

World Teachers Day: Childline Kenya: Speaking Out Against Child Abuse

15 year old Mariam is very proud to be have been appointed the pupil that opens Childline’s Speak Out box with her head teacher and a representative of Childline Kenya every Friday. Located at the footstep of Dandora, one of Nairobi largest slums and minutes away from the city’s dumpsite, ESVAK is one of the 60 schools where this innovative initiative has been implemented. The Speak Out boxes allow children to report abuse or maltreatment both in schools and at home, and initiate discussions regarding such issues anonymously and in a non-threatening manner. Using this method, Childline is able to report abusive teachers to the Teachers Service Commission which has been recently established to monitor teachers across the nation.

Despite the fact that Kenya has ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children, the Kenyan authorities are finding it difficult to stop deeply entrenched customs. It is not uncommon to find physical treatments inflicted on children who fail their school exams, including severe cane beating.

Childline’s call centre has collated evidence that in some schools in certain geographical areas, children are demonstrating risky behaviour towards badly intentioned teachers in order to have their school fees waived or earn good grades.

Mariam proudly explained how her involvement has enabled a 10 year old fellow pupil to report severe neglect from her guardians and how the case was subsequently successfully handled by the police.

Mariam with Childline’s Speak Out Box