By Fatmata BJ Samura
The Institute for Development (IFD), in partnership with UK International Development and Leh Wi Lan, recently held a Research Dissemination event at the New Brookfields Hotel in Sierra Leone.
The event aims to address the issues of violence and inclusion in schools, with critical stakeholders presenting their findings and recommendations. The program began with remarks from chairpersons and a representative of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Schools Education (MBSSE). Madam Rebecca Freeman, an advocate for children with disabilities, emphasised the importance of addressing violence and promoting inclusion in schools.
Osman Kamara, Director of Research and Curriculum Development at MBSSE, highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive school safety and radical inclusion for all vulnerable groups. Mr. Emmanuel J. Marrah, Director of Research at MBSSE, expressed the Ministry’s support for the research and its school safety and inclusion policies. He said the Ministry would review and incorporate the research findings into their programs.
Mr John Mark, a researcher from Leh Wi Lan, thanked IFD for organising the event and highlighted the importance of implementing policies and research findings in Sierra Leone. The key stakeholders, including Clare Castillejo, Richard Pambu, and Henrietta Koroma, presented their research findings on gender-based violence, inclusion, and perceptions of violence in schools. Richard Pambu discussed the inclusion and SRH education study, highlighting the need for evidence-based recommendations to address school violence.
Clare Castillejo presented violence perpetrated by teachers, noting that corporal punishment remains widespread but with evidence of shifting attitudes. According to Castillejo, marginalised students, such as those with disabilities, face high levels of bullying by peers and sometimes teachers. Pregnant students and the poorest students are also subjected to verbal bullying.
Henrietta Koroma discussed violence among students on school buses, noting that boys often harass girls and use sharp objects to threaten them. Overall, the Research Dissemination event highlighted the issues of violence and inclusion in schools in Sierra Leone. The findings and recommendations presented by the key stakeholders will be crucial in informing policies and programs to create safer and more inclusive learning environments for all students.
