The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in Pujehun District has conducted a refresher training for members of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Committee to strengthen the prevention, reporting and handling of misconduct and other incidents affecting learners in schools.

The training, held at the District Library in Pujehun Town, brought together education stakeholders and GRM committee members from institutions including TSE, PDC, FSU, PWD, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) and the Office of National Security (ONS).

The session focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of the GRM and their responsibilities in receiving, documenting, handling and referring complaints, while promoting the protection of learners and safe, inclusive learning environments.

Facilitator Florence Sandy, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in Pujehun District, said the training had strengthened the capacity of committee members to identify, receive, document and appropriately refer grievances involving learners, teachers and other members of the school community.

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She stressed the importance of confidentiality, fairness, accountability and timely responses when handling complaints.

Sandy also emphasised the need to create school environments where children can learn without fear of violence, abuse, discrimination, bullying, harassment or other forms of misconduct.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Abdulai Kamara, Deputy Director of MBSSE in Pujehun District, called for stronger collaboration among school authorities, parents, community leaders, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to prevent and effectively respond to incidents affecting the safety and wellbeing of learners.

He disclosed that the programme is supported by the World Bank through the Free Quality Education Project, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to working with schools and communities to strengthen child protection.

Maindu Tshombie, Measurement and Evaluation Officer at the Pujehun District Council, welcomed the training and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen grievance reporting systems and ensure that complaints are handled responsibly and in accordance with established procedures.

MBSSE noted that an effective Grievance Redress Mechanism is essential to ensuring that concerns raised by learners and other members of the school community are heard, documented and properly addressed.

The training forms part of broader efforts by education authorities and their partners to improve school governance, strengthen child protection and promote a culture of accountability and zero tolerance for violence, abuse and other forms of misconduct in schools.