MoES launches its new official Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidance for Educators, developed with support of Australia.

 Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sport Somsy Southivong (L) and First Secretary for Education and Health, Australian Embassy, Ms. Vanessa Hegarty  in Vientiane on July 16.

(KPL) Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Mr. Somsy Southivong, who is also member of the Committee for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children, MoES, and First Secretary for Education and Health, Australian Embassy, Ms. Vanessa Hegarty on July 16 launched MoES’ new official Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidance for Educators.

The launch ceremony took place during the celebration of the 69th anniversary of the Lao Women’s Union Day (Jul 20, 1955-2024), which was followed by a three-day training workshop on child protection for educators.

The trainees are teachers at Dongkhamxang Teacher Training College (TTC). During the celebration, the Chair and Co-Chair highlighted the importance of the Lao Women’s Union Day and the key role that the Lao Women’s Union plays in promoting child protection and safeguarding.  

Mr. Somsy Southivong noted that child protection and safeguarding is a shared priority of the governments of Laos and Australia.

“Teachers play a vital role in child protection by being pro-active, supportive, and knowledgeable about child protection. Their actions can make a significant difference in creating safe learning environments,” said Mr. Somsy Southivong.

The new Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidance for Educators has been developed to support teachers to fully understand child protection and provide them with access to information about referral services and reporting systems.

“As you all know, teachers not only facilitate their students to learn but also create a safe space for children to learn and thrive. When students feel safe, they will do well at school,” said Somsy.

“In Australia, it is recognised that all people who work with children have a responsibility to ensure their physical and emotional safety. Australia is proud to partner with the Ministry of Education and Sports through the Basic Education Quality and Access in the Lao PDR (BEQUAL) programme on the development and dissemination of its new official Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidance for Educators and capacity building on this essential topic,” said Ms. Vanessa Hegarty.

The safeguarding children guide explains the practical actions that should be taken by everyone whose work brings them into contact with children.

“Child protection and safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s all be role models and work together to ensure safe learning environments for our children,” said Ms. Vanessa Hegarty.

More than 360 participants from the different departments of MoES, Vientiane Provincial Education and Sports Services, Dongkhamxang TTC (including lecturers, in-service teachers taking upgrading courses, pre-service teachers) and Lao Women’s Union representatives attended the ceremony.

A selected group of specialist trainers from MoES attended the three-day training which took a user-centered approach with many active and participatory sessions.

During the first one and half-days, the MoES’ Division for the Advancement of Women and the Gender Trainer Team from MoES trained 40 Dongkhamxang TTC lecturers to be future child protection trainers.

The participants discussed acceptable and unacceptable behaviours in relation to child protection in the school environment such as: sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, respecting children’s rights and inclusion, managing children’s behaviour communicating with children, photographing or filming children, and the use of alcohol and drugs.

They then reviewed adult learning principles and teaching theory to prepare them to be efficient trainers.

On the second day, the 40 lecturers cascaded the child protection training to 300 TTC lecturers and student-teachers. The last day culminated with the launch ceremony and the presentation of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidance for Educators.

Mr. Somsy Southivong concluded, “We hope this child protection and safeguarding guideline will be useful by teachers to create safe environments for students. I urge all teachers to strongly pay attention to child protection and advocate for the safety of children in school.”

Ms. Vanessa Hegarty concluded, “Teachers play a vital role in safeguarding students. Ensuring students feel safe at school helps them to thrive on their learning journey. Equipping teachers with necessary tools and skills will ensure they can promote and practice child protection and safeguarding inside and outside of the classroom.”

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 programme 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