Chrisland Schools is redefining child safety in Nigeria by implementing a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional security measures. The school's management emphasizes that safety is not solely the responsibility of the security department, but rather a collective effort involving teachers, school leaders, students, parents, counselors, medical personnel, and management. This approach was highlighted during the school's recent Safeguarding Week, an initiative that has been running for about seven years across its schools.
The school's Executive Head of School, Region A, Segun Ogunsola, emphasized that the child is the focus of their efforts, and they owe every child a duty of care. Chrisland conducts risk assessments for events and maintains a unified calendar for safety and safeguarding activities across its schools. Staff receive safeguarding training, while students are taught how to identify unsafe situations and seek help. External experts are also invited for seminars and awareness sessions.
Chrisland has established student safety and safeguarding ambassadors who have received sensitization on bullying and general safeguarding measures. The school encourages students to report concerns to designated safeguarding officers, with confidentiality being a key part of the process. The "See something, say something" philosophy empowers students to speak up when they witness or experience something wrong.
The school operates a whistleblowing mechanism through which parents can raise complaints, with a dedicated email for such reports. Officials emphasize immediate reporting and escalation, with a 24-hour reporting framework. This approach aims to prevent concerns from becoming buried in bureaucracy. Safeguarding officers, such as Abimbola Taylor, highlighted the school's child protection policy, which involves the wider community.
Chrisland's safeguarding process starts at recruitment, with prospective staff undergoing background checks and operating under a Safer Recruitment Policy. Checks do not necessarily end once an appointment has been made, with compliance documents and further checks used before staff are certified fit to work with children. The school stresses that those entrusted with children must themselves be subjected to appropriate scrutiny.
The school's safeguarding program also includes digital safety, with counselors educating students on online risks and responsible digital behavior. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children's online activities, and the school restricts students' online access to protect them from inappropriate content. Students are trained to identify potential online risks, while counseling and assessment programs support their wider wellbeing.
At Chrisland Idimu, where the school operates a full boarding program, the safeguarding challenge is even broader. Principal Olubunmi Dosunmu emphasized the school's intentional approach to safety, with investments in security infrastructure and continual reviews of daily schedules to strengthen supervision. Parents are also involved in the safety architecture, participating in relevant committees and using the school's reporting channels.
Key points
- Chrisland Schools adopts a comprehensive approach to child safety, incorporating measures such as safer recruitment, anti-bullying, and digital protection.
- The school empowers students to participate in their own protection through student safety and safeguarding ambassadors.
- Chrisland involves parents in the safety architecture, encouraging them to participate in relevant committees and use the school's reporting channels.
