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.
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Franco Farrugia
Nov 28th 2009, 09:24
@ Charles Sammut: Woe is us!
W Spencer
Nov 27th 2009, 23:11
@ B Galea
R + R ....... rights + responsibilities ......... one should NEVER be taught without the other !!
That is the problem within society today, everyone seems to know their rights, but are oblivious of their responsibilities.
Charles Sammut
Nov 27th 2009, 18:28
Typical leftist liberal philosophy. Everyone has the constitutionally protected right to act irresponsibly. Some future we are building. As from next year, students do not even have to take an exam to enter the Juniour Lyceum. They have the constitutionally protected right to education, whether they like it or not. Agatha Barbara has been vindicated at last, Dolores Cristina is giving us yet another generation of socialist children.
Jesmond Micallef
Nov 27th 2009, 17:40
Go for it Children of Malta and the World !!! May God bless each and everyone of you. Show the bright flowers there is in each and everyone of you. You are beautifull. To Parents: LET YOUR CHILDREN SHINE !!!
U. D'Amico
Nov 27th 2009, 14:30
@B Galea Face young children everyday like teachers do ... and then comment again.
Sarah Attard
Nov 27th 2009, 14:08
@ B Galea Thank you for being the voice of reason. It is amazing how many people are quick to criticize, without having any real idea of the work which is being undertaken in human rights education.
patrick camilleri
Nov 27th 2009, 13:41
"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". That's good ............but did they walk away with a clear idea of what their duties were? Teach them their rights by all means .....but for heaven's sake teach them their duties too; ....and while you are at it, teach them basic manners ........hardly anyone in Malta ever says please or thank you ..... Who knows, perhaps someday children in Malta won't grow up to be such rude adults!
Galea. L
Nov 27th 2009, 12:22
U. D'Amico M. Mizzi M Vella Totally agree with you. Even when parents tried correcting their children has resulted in their children threatening to phone and report them to the authorities.
B Galea
Nov 27th 2009, 12:03
We finally get some form of human rights education going, and the comments below mine are all about how we shouldn't 'over empower' our children!
Malta needs a lot MORE human rights education, not less! Look to Ireland, Sweden or Germany as examples. A youth body who understand human rights understand not only THEIR rights, but also those of others.
M Vella
Nov 27th 2009, 10:19
I agree that children should be taught what their rights are.
However I also believe that they should be educated as to what is wrong.
Delivery of these kind of sessions should be balanced and not leave the children over empowered.
M. Mizzi
Nov 27th 2009, 09:45
In my opinion we are giving too much importance to children's rights and not enough to their duties and responsibilities. You can't have one without the other.
U. D'Amico
Nov 27th 2009, 09:06
Commissioner for Children, Carmen Zammit should also focus on the duties of children, together with these rights.
We are living in a society where children aged 7-10 know and cite their rights left right and centre, hindering education, discipline and formation. It is now a proven fact that with all their given rights, coupled with the lack of time allocated for the children by their parents, we are ruining the basis of the future society!