12 August 2026 | Education Hall, Ngong, Kajiado County
Schools are more than places of learning. They are environments where children spend a significant part of their day, interacting closely with teachers and other adults they trust. This makes safeguarding an important responsibility for everyone working with children.
It was against this backdrop that EV-A Nexus, in collaboration with Enkerai Sidai and partners ITHM Africa, MyCredit Limited, Consolation East Africa, and Kuria & Co Advocates, convened a Teacher Safeguarding and Capacity Building Workshop at Education Hall in Ngong, Kajiado County, under the theme “From Awareness to Action.”
The workshop brought together 32 participants from 12 public primary schools, two private schools and three mentors, creating an opportunity for teachers and mentors to reflect on the changing safeguarding landscape and the role they play in keeping children safe.
Understanding the emerging safeguarding landscape
As part of the programme, Victor Adula, Executive Director of Consolation East Africa, facilitated a session on “Emerging Trends Teachers Must Know.” The session focused on some of the changing realities affecting teacher–learner engagement, including the growing influence of social media and digital spaces, evolving child rights awareness, professional boundaries, changing expectations from parents, and the increasing accountability surrounding interactions between teachers and learners.
Rather than approaching the conversation as a lecture, the session used real-life scenarios and interactive discussions to encourage teachers to reflect on situations they encounter in their everyday work.
The discussion highlighted an important reality: the environment in which teachers work is changing. Actions that may once have been viewed as ordinary interventions can now raise questions around privacy, professional boundaries, children’s rights and safeguarding. Teachers therefore need not only to recognise emerging concerns but also to understand how to respond appropriately.
Moving from awareness to action
The conversation then moved beyond emerging trends to the broader question of what safeguarding means in practice. Facilitators and participants explored recognising safeguarding concerns, the role of teachers in protecting children, and appropriate responses when a child’s safety or wellbeing may be at risk.
The workshop created space for teachers to share experiences, ask difficult questions and reflect on the situations they encounter in their schools. It also reinforced that safeguarding cannot be left solely to counsellors, school administrators or child protection professionals. Teachers are often among the first adults to notice changes in a child’s behaviour or wellbeing and are therefore an important part of the safeguarding system.
A conversation that needs to continue
One of the clearest outcomes of the workshop was the recognition that safeguarding cannot be fully addressed in a single session. Participants expressed interest in further learning around areas such as handling disclosures, responding to suspected abuse, reporting and referral pathways, case management, positive discipline, bullying, documentation and confidentiality.
For Consolation East Africa, the workshop provided an important opportunity to contribute to a broader movement towards safer schools and stronger child protection systems. It also reinforced the value of bringing teachers, mentors and child-focused organisations together to learn from one another and strengthen their capacity to support children.
The first conversation has started, but there is more to do.
Moving forward, the partners hope to build on this engagement through continued learning, practical capacity building and stronger safeguarding practices within schools across Kajiado County and beyond.
From awareness, to confidence.
From confidence, to action.
From action, to safer schools.
Consolation East Africa appreciates the collaboration of all partners who contributed to making this important conversation possible and remains committed to strengthening child protection, mentorship and safer learning environments for every child.
