Children schooled in rights

Some of them were barely of an age to know their right from their left but by the end of the morning, pupils of San Andrea School had a pretty good idea of what some of their rights were.

Group by group, children from early and middle schools huddled together in the colourful interior of a 52-foot trailer truck to watch a cartoon about their basic rights and listen to the Commissioner for Children, Carmen Zammit, answer their questions.

They then gathered in the playground for a session of interactive theatre and to play games revolving around the theme.

The school, in Imselliet, was host on Wednesday to Ġuġinu's Tour. Ġuġinu is a specially chosen mascot who is visiting several schools and local councils, along with the rest of the entourage, as part of a drive by the Office of the Commissioner for Children to familiarise youngsters with the important rights granted to them by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The event is being held on the occasion of the convention's 20th anniversary being celebrated throughout Europe.

San Andrea pupils learned they have the right to live in a family, to voice their opinions, to proper health care and education, and to play. One group was particularly interested in the last one, piping up in turn to list their favourite games to the commissioner, perhaps trying to convince themselves that these would never again be denied to them even if they didn't do their homework.

Mrs Zammit later pointed out the importance of teaching rights at so tender an age: "Take the right to voice their opinion. If we give them a voice we educate them to discuss peacefully and to listen.

"Perhaps it will change our culture in which people tend shout at each other. Besides, they are the parents of tomorrow, so it will lead to stronger families."

The school also got a visit by the President, George Abela, in connection with the activity.

The next tour will be at Nadur tomorrow and Ta' Qali National Park on Sunday. All children are welcome.