Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
The 2024 Regional World Children’s Day Commemorations have amplified calls to advance children’s rights, with United Nations voices praising the Zimbabwean government for its commitment to education, a fundamental right for children.
From different countries across the SADC regional bloc, the young ones set the resort city of Victoria Falls alight as they marched to Baobab Primary School, the venue of the event.
In the course of the gathering, representatives of child parliaments from different countries also got an opportunity to deliver an important Call for Action Document under the moderation of Junior Speaker of Parliament Honorable Sithabile Tafara Migo.
“We need a curriculum that is aligned with the rest of the world and puts emphasis on digital literacy , this will be achieved by improving the ITC infrastructure in schools. The second one says we want to expand and enhance climate change education programmes .
“For an inclusive and quality education system I would like to propose that the governments provide with equal opportunities for education including children with disabilities and those in hard to reach areas.
“We want to remind you that every child must have access to education therefore we are promoting the development of our countries, so take the risk and ensure and invest in us the future.Like I always say, we are never too small to make a difference. We should construct child and disability friendly infrastructure and provide significant and enriching resources including solar power for untampered learning , build schools close to communities or provide transportation for students,” said Migo.
The children’s calls were also backed by United Nations voices who pledged to work with governments for the advancement of their cause, singling out the Zimbabwean government for its commitment to enhancing the right to education.
“These celebrations are far more than symbolic, they are a platform for children’s participation as embedded in the Convention of the Rights of Children, we aim to amplify children’s voices and sharing these voices to policy and decision making processes. Through the combined efforts of governments and partners, children have been at the forefront of this event shaping a call to action to be presented to the Heads of States that was done by them,” said UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon.
The 2024 Regional World Children’s Day Commemorations built on the previous commitment by the Heads of State which focuses on education, climate change, disability and the need for a society that upholds children’s rights.
