UN convention on children’s rights to be extended here

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.

Its extension was an objective of the Children and Young People’s Plan.

‘This is an important objective, and the committee is very pleased to advise the Assembly that the complex work on demonstrating compliance to the article of the Convention has been completed, and the relevant documentation has been shared with the UK Government,’ said P&R president Deputy Gavin St Pier.

‘We are now fully expectant of that UN Convention being extended to Guernsey, though we do not yet have a date.’

Four schools have achieved the bronze Rights Respecting Schools (RRS) award, which is a key part of demonstrating how Guernsey is meeting its commitment to sign up to the convention.

‘This is a celebration of the commitment made by schools in the island and evidence that teachers are incorporating learning about rights in the vision and ethos of the school,’ Rights Respecting Schools award professional advisor for the south-west, Jilly Hillier said.

‘Bronze is the planning stage and shows a commitment to a child rights based approach in schools to create the best possible learning environment.’

Giving children the knowledge that they have the right to be safe, secure and healthy not just in school but beyond the school gates, regardless of who they are or where they live, is the practical way of showing that Guernsey is serious about ratifying the convention.

Hautes Capelles was the first primary school in the island to achieve this and head teacher Sue Coughlin said the creation of a steering group, which is one of the requirements to achieve the bronze award, has furthered the idea that pupils’ voices are at the heart of education.

‘RRS is so important because it teaches children about their rights and what they deserve,’ Hautes Capelles head girl Mathilde Flouquet said.

‘It also shows children that no matter who they are or what background they come from, they’re as important and equal as everyone else.

Other members of the steering group said they prioritised some of the rights outlines under the convention and would take what they have learned to teach other students in the school.

Les Beaucamps was the first Guernsey secondary school to achieve the award, with La Mare de Carteret and the Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre closely behind.

Twelve-year-olds Jude Barton and Amy Jones were members of student voice at Les Beaucamps and said since working towards the award, students have been listened to more and have a greater say in some policies and charity fundraising events.

‘One of the things we took to the teacher that linked in with several of the Unicef rights was reducing the amount of single-use plastic we use at school,’ Jude said.

Children and Young People’s Plan lead Nick Hynes said it was very positive that Bailiwick schools were beginning to achieve the goals.

‘More than that, it’s about making sure we act on things that children tell us are important to them,’ he said.