STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH

The study that obtained the following statistics and information was commissioned by the Ugandan Ministry of Education and conducted by Winsor Consult LTD between 2011 and 2012:

• 81% of children ages 10-18 years depicted numerous forms of violence they have experienced at school
• 68% of children indicate teachers were the main perpetrators of violence
• Some 77.7% of primary and 82% of secondary students reporting having experienced some form of sexual abuse; and 5.9% were subjected to defilement [rape]
• 67% of students sampled reported to have been sexually abused by a male teacher
• 74.3% of children interviewed report having been caned by an adult at school
• Emotional abuse by teachers and bullying by peers is a persistent problem
• Of the children in the sample who experienced sexual abuse at school, only 40% of girls and 39% of boys reported it
• Children fear being victimized by perpetrators: When reporting to senior staff, pupils are called to meet directly with the perpetrator, indicating poor skills in handling cases
• Many children feel unsafe at school, citing concerns with insecure toilets, fire safety, and poor infrastructure

Behind every number there is a story.

FELT-SAFETY

Even though the use of corporal punishment in school systems of Uganda has been banned since 2006, it is still widely pervasive. Additionally, with sexual abuse rates and other safety concerns as noted in the above statistics, students feel unsafe on school property, whether in class or on the playground. At the centre of The Stoplight Approach is felt-safety. We understand the importance of feeling emotionally safe so as to optimize learning and decrease behavioural issues. The solution: Create safe school environments.