A group photo of lecturers from Khang Khay Teacher Training College participating in the Child Protection and Safeguarding training in Xiangkhouang Province on Oct 2.

(KPL) On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), with support from the Australian Government through the Basic Education Quality and Access in the Lao PDR (BEQUAL) program launched a series of Child Protection and Safeguarding training workshops for educators. Mr. Somsy Southivong, Deputy Permanent Secretary of MoES and Committee for Advanced Women, Mother and Child opened the first training session on October 2, 2024 at the Khang Khay Teacher Training College (TTC), in Xiangkhouang Province.

Follow-up sessions will be organised later this month in Savannakhet TTC and Luang Namtha TTC. The objective of the training is to raise awareness of MoES’ new Child Protection and Safeguarding guidelines and give guidance on how to implement the guidelines in the education sector.

Participants brainstorming on why do children need protection

 “Teacher’s Day celebrations emphasise the pivotal role that teachers play in shaping the future of our younger generations. This year, I would like to particularly focus on teachers’ role to ensure students’ learning as well as their wellbeing. For students to learn and blossom, they need to feel safe at school. They need to feel protected and empowered by their teachers. They need to feel part of the school community. On Teacher’s Day, I am honored to launch the first training on MoES’ new official Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidelines for Educators,” said Mr. Somsy Southivong.

A total of 150 lecturers from the three target TTCs will participate in the three-day training sessions led by MoES’s Division for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children, with support from Australia. The participants are responsible for training the teams providing internal pedagogical support to teachers in seven target provinces (Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Bokeo Houapanh, Xiangkhouang, Khammouane and Savannakhet). The knowledge and skills from this training will be cascaded to all primary teachers in thirty target districts through school support visits by internal pedagogical advisers.

Participants reflecting on their expectations regarding child protection and safeguarding

Ms. Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary, Australian Embassy, said “Child protection and safeguarding is a shared priority of the Government of Australia and the Government of Lao PDR. Teachers play a vital role in safeguarding students. Ensuring students feel safe at school helps them to thrive on their learning journey. Australia is proud to support the Ministry of Education with this training. Equipping teachers and the educators who support them with necessary tools and skills will ensure they can promote and practice child protection and safeguarding inside and outside of the classroom.”

The training takes a user-centered approach with many interactive and participatory sessions. It starts with a brainstorming session on the importance of child protection. Participants explore Lao PDR’s Child Protection Law, the Law on Education and MoES’ Inclusive Education Strategy 2030 via hands-on activities such as quizzes, role play and jigsaw puzzles. A ‘power walk’ activity is used to help participants become more aware of the dynamics that exist within communities and at school. During the final session, participants reflect on how they can apply child protection and safeguarding principles in their work and day-to-day life.

Very interactive and participatory training sessions to engage all attendants

Mr. Somsy Southivong concluded “Child protection and safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This training is about the individual role we play as educators in ensuring all children can safely access quality education in an inclusive environment that supports them to reach their full potential. We urge educators at all levels of the school system to champion child safeguarding and advocate for the safety of children in school.”

BEQUAL is a program led by the Lao Government with support from the Australian Government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program focuses on enhancing educational outcomes for the nation's youth, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged. BEQUAL is focused on ensuring gender equality and promoting inclusive education across all activities.

KPL