Dar es Salaam Independent School

DIS has a professional international team of teachers, psychologists, methodologists, and other specialists who create and maintain an educational environment that motivates students to achieve high learning outcomes and broaden their thinking. The school emphasizes student welfare by providing a safe, caring, personal, and valued learning environment where students are confident to talk and be listened to. The curriculum provides opportunities to develop self-awareness, self-esteem, assertiveness and decision-making. The director describes DIS students as enjoying a caring, safe and stimulating learning environment with high expectations. The school is multicultural and multilingual, fostering cross-cultural understanding.

The policy recognises that children with additional needs face an increased risk of abuse and neglect, and staff take extra care to interpret signs of abuse or neglect. The school provides a setting in which pupils with special educational needs or disabilities feel confident to discuss their concerns. Whenever possible, pupils will have the opportunity to express themselves to a staff member with appropriate communication skills. The Designated Child Protection Officer (DCPO) will work with the school counsellor to identify pupils with particular communication needs. SEND is addressed within the safeguarding framework.

English is the medium of instruction. Kiswahili is taught as a subject of equal value to English, and students are encouraged to use Kiswahili in conversations in school. French is taught as a foreign language.

DIS maintains a welfare-focused environment, providing a safe, secure, valued and respected setting where children feel able to talk openly and be listened to. The curriculum includes opportunities to increase self-awareness, self-esteem, assertiveness and decision-making to support well-being. All staff receive up-to-date safeguarding training and support, and the school coordinates with parents and other agencies as needed. Designated officers coordinate welfare across campuses and involve school counsellors where appropriate to support students.

The school has a Child Protection Policy to safeguard students and provide support when abuse is suspected. The policy commits to maintaining welfare, providing a safe and welcoming environment, and ensuring children can talk openly. Staff receive annual training; there are designated Child Protection Officers (DCPOs) for Primary, Secondary and Early Years. The policy outlines recording, reporting and referrals to outside agencies, with confidentiality and parent liaison. It covers health and safety procedures, risk assessments, safe recruitment, and anti-bullying, with good role modelling by staff. The policy also addresses safeguarding in peer-on-peer interactions and provides support to students through counsellors when needed.