Pupils and
teachers in Gulu District are undergoing one-week-long psychosocial support as
schools reopen.
The
psychosocial support is being carried out by selected teachers trained prior to
the school reopening. It is aimed at addressing discrimination and stigma
against pregnant girls and child mothers, how to adapt to the new normal while
in school, as well as guidance and counseling and special needs handling for
the teachers.
Joyce Okee Otim, the Headmistress of Awach P.7 School in Awach Sub –County says
much as they had not yet registered any pregnant girl or child mother, all the
141 pupils who reported to school on Monday and Tuesday are undergoing psychosocial
support.
Okee revealed that in the week-long program, they intend to talk to the pupils
to abolish the lifestyles they had while at home for the 22 months when schools
were closed but adapt to the new normal.
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Hellen Rose
Abwoyo, the Headmistress of Unyama Primary School says that the teachers are
already undergoing guidance and counseling and special needs training. She says
when the learners report on Tuesday, they will be taken through the psychosocial
support program.
Winnifred Lawino, a parent at Unyama Primary School says the initiative to
support the pregnant girls and child mothers to stay in school is good but that
the challenge may arise when the boys responsible for the pregnancies stop them
from resuming studies.
According to Lawino, the pregnant girls and child mothers should either be
separated from the rest of the learners or be advised to go for skilled
training like tailoring among others.
Meanwhile, as schools resume, there is a general low turn up of learners to
schools on the first and second days.
Geoffrey Okaka, the Gulu District Chief
Administration Officer says learners’ turn up is at 5 percent compared to 95
percent of the teachers. Okaka appealed to the local leaders to rally parents
to send their children to school.
Jesse Johnson James
Freelancer