KARONGA DIOCESE SAFEGUARDING OFFICE ORIENTS STUDENTS AND STAFF OF ST. DENIS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL ON SAFEGUARDING POLICY
By Noel Chatepa
On 28th February 2025, the Karonga Diocese Safeguarding Office conducted an orientation at St. Denis Catholic Primary School, focusing on the Diocesan Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults policy. This policy is designed to protect minors and vulnerable adults within the Diocese, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to their safety.
The orientation began with a session for students, led by the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Mr. Vincent Bwinga. He introduced key concepts of safeguarding in an interactive format that encouraged student participation. The children actively engaged in discussions and responded to questions posed by Mr. Bwinga, which helped to reinforce their understanding of safeguarding principles.
Following the students session, Mr. Bwinga conducted a more detailed orientation for teachers at the primary school, joined by Miss Chimango Loga, the Human Resource Officer for the Diocese. Miss Loga emphasized her role in ensuring that teachers adhere to a code of conduct they signed during this orientation process.
During his presentation, Mr. Bwinga highlighted the Church’s responsibility towards protecting children and vulnerable adults within its care. He stressed that every employee of the Diocese must comply with this safeguarding policy to prevent any abuse of power by those in authoritative positions. He stated, “Every employee of the Diocese is supposed to be oriented in the policy, whether they are working at the Curia or in any of the Diocese’s institutions such as hospitals or schools.”
Mrs. Christina Ndhlovu Mughogho, head teacher at St. Denis Catholic Primary School, expressed her belief that this orientation was highly beneficial for teachers as it addressed critical issues faced within the education system such as corporal punishment among students, even though it is not practiced at the school. She noted that understanding these policies ensures they remain on a positive path regarding student treatment and safety: “I believe that every teacher will abide by the safeguarding policy,” she affirmed.
The Safeguarding policy emphasizes three critical areas aimed at protecting the rights of children and vulnerable adults in alignment with Gospel values of our Lord Jesus Christ. Firstly, it aims to ensure that the rights of children and vulnerable adults are not only protected but also promoted in accordance with the Gospel values of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Secondly, the policy aims to fulfil the Catholic Church’s mission to raise awareness and empower communities at the grassroots level to undertake in development initiatives that are sensitive to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and lastly, the Diocesan Safeguarding policy is dedicated to ensuring that both survivors and perpetrators are treated fairly through effective case handling procedures.
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