By Ruth Kumwenda

Blantyre, May 9, Mana:  In a bid to enhance communication and promote a culture of openness in schools, Mitsidi Police Unit on Thursday donated a complaints and suggestions box to Chigwaja Primary School at Traditional Authority Kuntaja Blantyre, to give learners opportunity to freely express their concerns and suggestion.

Community Policing Coordinator for Mitsidi Police Unit, Sergeant Ausborne Moses said the complaints and suggestions box with support from UNICEF will provide opportunity to learners especially girls to voice out their concerns regarding gender-based violence.

“We want to help learners to speak out about any form of violence they encounter at home, in school, or elsewhere. We have noticed that many learners suffer in silence when abused by relatives or guardians such as stepfathers or uncles.

“This silence affects learners performance as well as their wellbeing,” Moses added and emphasized the need for learners to report any form of abuse whether at home, from teachers or fellow students.

He said that concerns should be reported in writing and placed in the suggestions box. The Community Policing Coordinator assured the learners that only police officers would open the box and address the concerns.

Moses further warned learners against theft, vandalism, cybercrimes, and any involvement in mob justice, observing that some criminals entice minors to commit crimes.

Chigwaja School Deputy Headteacher, Pauline Bisoni commended the police for introducing the initiative, describing it as timely and essential.

She also thanked the police for informing learners on how and where to report gender based violence.

“We thank Mitsidi Police Unit for introducing the complaints and suggestions box, learners will benefit a lot from the initiative. Many learners experience violence at their homes but don't know where to report it,

“This box will help them report freely without fear and this will help to create a conducive learning environment,” Bisoni added and urged the police to roll out the initiative to other schools.

Angella Banda, a Standard 7 learner at Chigwaja School welcomed the initiative saying it will help her and other learners to report sensitive issues without fear.

Learners further expressed optimism that the complaints and suggestions box will help stakeholders to find possible solutions to home and school based violence and other forms of abuse elsewhere.