It’s hard to send off your child to school not knowing what’s happening to them there. However, we have entrusted schools to take care of our children and ensure their safety within their compound. It is, therefore, disheartening and shocking when you hear reports of children being attacked or dying suspiciously under their watch – Boy Sexually Harassed By Teacher At St. James High School Kegonge, Embu As a parent, there are certain ways to ensure your child’s safety in school.
- Have Contact
If your child is away in boarding school, take their class teacher’s number or the number of someone you can trust. Make sure your child knows your contacts so they can reach you in case of any problems. Additionally, check in with the school frequently to see how the child is fairing. By keeping in touch, you’ll be able to tell if your child is okay or not.
- Review School Policy
When sending your child off to a new school, make sure you know how that school handles safety and emergencies. This will answer many questions regarding the school including visitor rules and emergency drills. You should also go through the rule book with your child to prevent them from getting into unnecessary trouble.
- Inform School Staff
If your child has any medical conditions or allergies, let the school administration know. This will help them deal with your child according to the medical recommendation. Make sure you provide all the necessary medications for their condition. Additionally, if your child has been a bullying victim before, you should let the school know so they can keep a close eye on them.
- Establish A Safety Committee
You can join hands with other parents in the school to form a committee that will specifically check on the school’s safety. The committee will conduct safety audits, design policies and enforce measures where children can report any issues. Parents can also volunteer and visit the schools occasionally to inspect their safety conditions.
- Teach Your Child About Safety
Safety is as much your child’s problem as it is the school’s. Teach them what to do in case of an emergency. Give them numbers to call if they’ve been sexually assaulted. If they’re in boarding school, teach them what to do when they leave school. Sometimes, it’s hard for schools to monitor over 400 students. Therefore, if each child took their safety into their own hands it would be easier for the school. Parenting: 5 Basic Steps You Should Teach Children To Prevent Sexual Assault
- Ask About The School Driver
Road safety is not usually an area of concern. However, there have been a number of school bus accidents which raise questions. Apart from vetting the teachers, the school staff should also be a cause for concern. Check whether the school driver is qualified to be driving children and whether he follows traffic rules.
- Pay Attention
When your child comes home for the holidays, pay attention to their demeanour. You can tell if your child isn’t happy at school by their demeanour. First, ask them directly how they’re coping in school. If they seem indifferent, encourage them to talk about it. Additionally, reading their non-verbal cues is very important. If they seem withdrawn, then something isn’t right. How Parents Can Identify That Their Child Is Being Bullied & Take Action
Check out Safety Tips For When Your Children Have To Travel Alone
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