Police officers urged to promote school safety

Malawi Police Service (MPS) director of  community policing Lovemore Mwabumba has asked police officers in Lilongwe to promote safety among learners.

Speaking on Saturday in Lilongwe during the training of 40 police officers, he said police are key to addressing security issues in primary and secondary schools.

“We should ensure that we keep schools safe to promote a conducive learning environment,” said Mwabumba.

Kawale Police Station community policing coordinator Mayeso Chikadza said she learnt how she can enhance learners’ safety in schools. 

“There are people who disturb learners in Kawale and Biwi townships. I will reach out to the particular schools with awareness messages to restore confidence among learners,” she said.

MPS national child protection coordinators desk officer Brown Ngalu said reports on abuse of learners increased since the introduction of safe school initiative in 2014.

He said: “We have referral ways and complaint boxes which provide learners an opportunity to channel their grievances.

“Police officers periodically open the boxes to act on the complaints.”

Unicef supports the safe school initiative which seeks to make schools safe for learning.