NORTHERN PROVINCE Teachers in Musanze district have been urged to be proactive in stopping the abuse of child rights to education. Addressing area head teachers this week, the district Mayor Celestin Karabayinga, asked the teachers to identify the root causes of child abuse in order to stop the vice. The head teachers had convened for a consultative workshop on protection of children’s rights and gender related violence in schools, family law, and girls’ vulnerability to HIV/Aids. It was organized by Haguruka, in conjunction with Canadian Cooperation. Haguruka is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that advocates for human rights. Karabayinga told teachers to view poverty as the biggest threat to children’s rights to education, food and decent living. Daphrosa Nyiramajambere, a gender consultant, said after the seminar that teachers bear the primary responsibility of sensitising parents and students on the rights of children. Among the cases of child abuse cited were; sexual advances to young girls, harsh punishments, lack of good feeding to students and denial of right to education. Over 100 primary and secondary school head teachers attended the workshop. Ends
