Newsnet
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Government says it remains committed to ensuring that schools are safe through the creation of policies that promote the protection of children’s rights in all learning institutions.
Government says it remains committed to ensuring that schools are safe through the creation of policies that promote the protection of children’s rights in all learning institutions.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister Senator David Coltart said this at the launch of the ‘Learn Without Fear’ campaign in Harare.
While teachers have been responsible for abusing of girls in schools, there has been a developing trend in which girls are abused by senior boys at learning institutions with some cases going unreported.
Minister Coltart says this trend has to be nipped in the bud and government is inviting various stakeholders in coming up with a comprehensive national strategic plan for the eradication of all forms of abuse in schools.
“As government we are very worried about the rampant abuse in schools which used to be perpetrated by teachers, A shocking development is that even children amongst themselves can abuse other minors.
“The common trend that we have adopted is that we want a comprehensive policy against child abuse to protect most victims who sometimes suffer in silence,†said senator Coltart.
Plan Zimbabwe, which is spearheading the programme says children in schools should be taught conflict resolution skills that do not inflict pain on others.
There have been media reports of abuse of children in schools by other children through acts of bullying, prefects beating up other children and teachers using corporal punishment.
The launch was preceded by a baseline survey conducted in various districts of the country which revealed shocking statistics of abuse in schools.