Teachers, parents march for protection of children’s rights

Four pre-schools joined forces to march for the protection of children’s rights.

June 7, 2024

Buhle Matsoele 1 minute read

The teachers encourage the learners to hold up their placards.

Duduza – Teachers and parents advocated for the protection of children’s rights in a march on May 28.

The children held placards with messages such as ‘Stop child abuse’ and ‘I have the right to be heard’.

Mbusomusha Nursery and Pre-School, Precious Early Child Development (ECD), Stars ECD and Olwethu Day Care Centre’s learners and teachers were present.

Ntombizodwa Radebe, the Mbusomusha principal, elaborated on the importance of teaching children about their rights while they are still young.

“The children are at the curious stage when they absorb everything, so imparting this information to them is vital.

“We teach them about abuse because we want them to be able to speak up if something happens to them because if they do not speak about it, it will affect them in the future,” Radebe said.

The march happened during a pivotal time in our country, a day before the national elections and a few days before the annual International Day for the Protection of Children.

On Saturday, the world will commemorate children everywhere for their rights to existence, development, defence against negative influences, and involvement in family, culture, and society.

“We also want to send a message to the party that wins these elections that we are here as principals and teachers of ECDs and would like them to consider us in their plans and to assist us in raising awareness on a much bigger scale,” she said.

Their placards with handwritten signs such as ‘I have a right to have a family’, ‘I have the right to be free’ and others.

The teachers said parents are responsible for teaching children about their rights.

One of the parents said she was happy that parents were also allowed to participate.

“I am happy the parents participated because it shows we take our children’s rights seriously,” she said.

Mpho Tsoari, a community change agent for the Save the Children Organisation, reiterated that parents are responsible for sitting their children down and explaining their rights to them.

“They have the right to live in a safe environment, to quality education, to health and nutrition, and others. Today, we focused on abuse and education, but the other rights are just as important,” Tsoari declared.