Observations

According to the school administration, students have found themselves in a state of uncertainty following the pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis. These circumstances forced them to stay at home, leading to the introduction of online education as a quarantine measure. The proliferation of digital devices among children, without proper education on their usage, resulted in a significant increase in phone addiction. As students returned to physical classrooms, many displayed heightened agitation and restlessness due to late-night gaming and mobile chatting. Parents, lacking digital literacy, struggled to supervise their children’s mobile usage effectively.

This is why both the school staff and students expressed their appreciation for the PEaCE team’s visit. It was a rare opportunity to receive crucial information about their safety that had not been previously taught or discussed. A student prefect spoke on behalf of the entire student body, requesting that the PEaCE team continue delivering such valuable and informative sessions to other schools in the region, appreciating the interactive and engaging manner in which the team presented this vital information.

Observations

In this division, many parents work as estate employers, and their children often come from the estate sector. While we’ve identified five school dropouts, it’s reassuring to note a low rate of early child marriages with only a few reported cases.

However, we’ve observed a concerning increase in mothers’ migration rates and high levels of alcohol consumption among fathers, which unfortunately contribute to family violence.

Another area of focus is the low level of knowledge regarding child abuse and exploitation complaint mechanisms. There have been no reported child abuse cases, which might be linked to the lack of connections with CRPO and CPO. The team was warmly welcomed by the staff and children, and their enthusiasm was evident. They expressed a heartfelt desire for the PEaCE team to organize similar programs for children like them.

Observations

At this place, there weren’t a prevalence of online child sexual abuse as the majority of the phone connections weren’t usable due to signal issue. However, there have been some cases of sexual abuse within the family. The beneficiaries were thankful to the PEaCE team for coming and delivering information on child safeguarding mechanisms which they had not heard of before. The children felt they were more able to protect themselves from harm having attended the programme.

Observations

The school principal was delighted to host the program on their premises. She mentioned that due to the proliferation of mobile phones, female students at the school have faced various problems, with perpetrators attempting to contact them and causing harm. Additionally, the prevalence of mobile phones and social media has led to a different kind of competition among students, creating a negative self-image for some who needed counseling.

The school children warmly welcomed the PEaCE team by performing a sonnet highlighting the importance of the child and the critical need for their protection to ensure the future of the nation. This was followed by active engagement with the content of the awareness session. They expressed their wishes that the PEaCE team continues its mission, reaching out to all schools in the country with an educational program that is beneficial for their protection.

Observations

In this area, while there were a few incidents of illicit substance abuse, it’s notably lower than in major cities. Yet, a significant concern for most students is the strenuous and hazardous trek to school. The introduction of mobile connections during the pandemic has exposed children to various forms of abuse, including cases of attempted child online sextortion. Despite these challenges, the school staff and children remain vigilant. The positive evaluation forms show that the children genuinely enjoyed the program and earnestly wish for the PEaCE team to organize similar initiatives for more children who desperately need to learn about child rights and protection.

Observations

The school principal emphasized the importance of conducting an awareness raising session at their school, given the nature of the subject. Since the pandemic, students have had unrestricted access to the digital world, which has unfortunately also made underage minors vulnerable to online perpetrators. The principal stressed the need to address the issue of mobile phone access among children and provide them with essential education on protection from online violence.

Both the school staff and the children wholeheartedly participated in the program, displaying great enthusiasm. They expressed their gratitude for the PEaCE team’s visit and the timely education provided on this critical topic.

Observations

The school principal was delighted to host the program on their premises. She mentioned that due to the proliferation of mobile phones, female students at the school have faced various problems, with perpetrators attempting to contact them and causing harm. Additionally, the prevalence of mobile phones and social media has led to a different kind of competition among students, creating a negative self-image for some who need counselling.

The school children warmly welcomed the PEaCE team by performing a sonnet highlighting the importance of the child and the critical need for their protection to ensure the future of the nation. This was followed by active engagement with the content of the awareness session. They expressed their wishes that the PEaCE team continue its mission, reaching out to all schools in the country with an educational program that is beneficial for their protection.