Human Rights Training for Schools Underway in East Africa

2019 is off to a great start for the Edmund Rice Advocacy Network (ERAN) in East Africa with the training of volunteers and staff on child protection and safeguarding, and the training of teachers on Human Rights for Schools.

A key strategic objective for ERAN in 2019 is to build capacity among teachers in 20 primary and secondary schools within Kajiado North and Kibera on Human Rights for Schools. A partnership with 16 schools in the two sub-counties has already been finalised with a signed agreement between ERAN and the school heads for the school to participate in the ERAN programs.

Over January 25-26, ERAN rolled out its initial training for the teachers from 13 schools. The training focused on equipping the teachers with skills and knowledge in:

• Prevention science: to address alcohol, drug and substance abuse among children;
• Child safeguarding and protection guidelines: to enable those working with children to know what is expected of them and to have a child protection policy in place for their institutions;
• Child development stages: to enable teachers to monitor the behaviours of children in their institutions and respond appropriately;
• School rights club. The children in the clubs will be taught rights and responsibilities, justice and integrity, life skills, the effects of alcohol, drug and substance abuse, and environmental sustainability. The children will also involve themselves in international and local children campaigns including the ‘30 rights in 30 days’ campaign, HIV/AIDS campaigns for children and anti-drug and substance campaigns. Active children from the clubs within the schools will be nominated to represent ERAN at various functions as children human rights ambassadors.

The training of teachers has been a big success with the teachers eager to work with the ERAN team to bring about a positive change in children. The Human Rights for Schools programme is hoping to have a big impact on both children and teachers in 2019. Thanks to Misean Cara for funding this project, which will continue through the year. We look forward to seeing the ongoing progress made in the community!

Adapted from article written by Johnstone Shisanya ERAN Co-ordinator