Jersey schools back UNICEF scheme to teach children their rights

All primary and secondary schools in Jersey are to be offered support to become ‘Rights Respecting Schools’.

This status is awarded by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, which works with schools to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents nurtured and where they can thrive.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award aims to embed these into daily school life, and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives, and helps them to be responsible, active citizens. Deborah McMillan, Children’s Commissioner for Jersey, has announced she is working with UNICEF to help schools on the island achieve the status.

‘Profound impact’

The idea, she said, was to create a safe place for children to learn what rights they have, and what to do when those rights aren’t upheld. “By supporting all schools in Jersey to go through this programme, there is the scope for this to have a profound impact on our island’s children,” she told ITV News.

A former police officers, teacher and children’s services director in the UK, McMillan was appointed Children’s Commissioner for Jersey in January. Her priority is to listen to children and young people and make sure their voices are heard.

Author: Simon Weedy

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