Rwanda: Day of the African Child: Protecting Education Ensures Peace and Security for Children On June 16th, Rwanda joins the African continent in commemorating the Day of the African Child. This day commemorates the tragic events of June 16, 1976, when African children in Soweto, South Africa, protested against the apartheid regime’s discriminatory education system. In Rwanda, education is recognized as a fundamental pillar for peace and security for children. The country has made significant strides in ensuring access to quality education for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances. Education as a Peacebuilder Education empowers children with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to navigate complex social and economic challenges. By equipping children with education, Rwanda is investing in their ability to understand and promote peace and tolerance. Education as a Security Safeguard Education reduces the risk factors that can lead children to engage in violence or conflict. Children who are not in school are more likely to be involved in dangerous or illegal activities, such as drug abuse or theft. Education provides them with a sense of purpose and belonging, making them less susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups. Rwanda’s Commitment to Education Rwanda has implemented several initiatives to prioritize education as a driver of peace and security. These include: * Universal access to primary and lower secondary education: Rwanda provides free education for all children from primary to lower secondary levels, ensuring equal opportunities for all. * Community involvement: Schools and communities work together to create a supportive learning environment for children, promoting social cohesion and a sense of community ownership. * Protection of children from violence and exploitation: Rwanda has strict laws against child abuse and exploitation, and provides support services for children who have experienced trauma. The Impact of Education The positive impact of education on children’s well-being and the broader society is evident in Rwanda. Children who are exposed to quality education are: * More likely to have higher incomes and better health outcomes. * Less likely to be involved in crime or conflict. * More tolerant and respectful of others, promoting social harmony and cohesion. Call to Action On this Day of the African Child, Rwanda calls upon the international community to prioritize the protection of education for children. Education is not only a fundamental right but also a cornerstone for building peaceful and secure societies. By investing in education, we invest in our children’s future and the future of our continent. We empower them to become agents of change, promoting peace, security, and prosperity for generations to come.

Protecting education from attacks helps ensure peace and security for all children in Africa, experts have stressed. The call was made on Thursday, June 13, 2024, during the celebration of the Day of the African Child in Kigali.

Protecting education from attacks helps ensure peace and security for all children in Africa, experts have stressed. The call was made on Thursday, June 13, 2024, during the celebration of the Day of the African Child in Kigali.

The theme of the Day of the African Child, organized by the Dallaire Institute, is “Education for all children in Africa: the time is now.”

To help mark this year’s theme, the Dallaire Institute’s African Center of Excellence for Children, Peace and Security hosted a regional workshop to highlight the links between access to quality education, child protection and their well-being, and the achievement of sustainable peace and security.

Discussions during the conference focused on key international instruments to protect children and education from the effects of armed conflict and armed violence, namely the Vancouver Principles on peacekeeping and the prevention of recruitment and use of child soldiers and the Safe Schools Declaration, as well as approaches proposed by key regional bodies such as the African Union.

The second day of the conference included a discussion with civil society representatives on localized initiatives to protect children and their access to quality education at the community level.

The conference ended with a brief discussion on the links between access to inclusive and quality lifelong education, the protection and well-being of children, and global efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security.

Major General (Rtd) Ferdinand Safari, Director of the Dallaire Institute’s African Center of Excellence on Children, Peace and Security, said the Day of the African Child is a key reminder of the courage and resilience of children across the continent.

“It is a constant reminder of how you demonstrate to protect children and offer them the basics they deserve, which is education,” he noted.

The Day of the African Child was established in 1991 by the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government and is celebrated each year on June 16 in memory of the young black South Africans who died protesting in Soweto in 1976 against a government mandate that he insisted that black secondary schools be taught in Afrikaans, which at the time was seen as a tool of oppression by the white minority.

Thousands of children and young people took to the streets and were met with police brutality. Hundreds of children died, the youngest of whom was suspected to have been only 12 years old.

“The African child is the most vulnerable, but can contribute or participate in decision-making for him or her. We still have a long way to go. Education is not only human rights but also a cornerstone for sustainable development in an lasting peace and security,” he said.

Attacks on education in Africa

Safari said the current state of attacks on education in Africa is worrying. In 2023, Save the Children reported that attacks on education across Africa increased by 20 percent with around 411 reports of violent incidents against schools, teachers and children, the majority of which were reported in Nigeria and Sudan.

“We should also be worried. Armed conflicts and violence have been persistent in the world. And unfortunately, most cases are found on our continent. Hundreds of schools have been destroyed, thousands of children have been displaced and lost.+countless lives.” ++Safari said.

He said the Safe Schools Declaration was endorsed by different African nations in response to these challenges.

The Safe Schools Declaration, an intergovernmental political commitment, aims to protect students, teachers, schools and universities from targeted and indiscriminate attacks by armed forces and groups, as well as restrict military use of educational infrastructure.

“The Safe Schools Declaration is supported by many other instruments such as the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians and the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers, of which the Institute Dallaire is a custodian,” he added.

General (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, recognized the Dallaire Institute for the remarkable transformation in the protection of children.

“It has important work in Rwanda and throughout the region. The Dallaire Institute continues to be a partner of the Government of Rwanda in promoting the peace and children’s security agenda. Our partnership has grown significantly, as evidenced by the signing of memorandums of understanding between the institute, the Ministry of Defense, the national police and other institutions,” he stated.

He said Rwanda has made significant progress in protecting children’s rights within and across borders.

“Our political commitment includes national policies and frameworks that put children at the center of our development agenda. It also includes being signatories to key international legal instruments such as the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians and the Vancouver principles. More recently “Rwanda endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration,” he said.

He added that achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2060 should ensure education, peace and security for all African children.

Robert Doya Nanima, AU representative and member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), said: “We are not part of the solution, but we are the solution. The current challenges in education are a reflection of the fact that we must do a lot because a better future lies in our children.

He said there were reportedly 11,000 attacks on schools between 2015 and 2019 that harmed more than 22,000 students and teachers in 93 countries. ++”There is a lot we have to do.”

David Blaise Abessolo Ossene, Director of Education, Culture and Scientific Research at the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCA), added that education, development and child well-being are key to sustainable development, adding that the armed forces They are a threat to the rights of the child.

He cited insecurity in the central African region that led to school closures.

“It is urgent to guarantee the education of these children,” he stated.

Anthony Njoroge, Deputy Director of Regional Programs at Save the Children International, noted that currently, more than 270 million children on the continent are directly affected by conflict.

“That’s more than one in four. This is related to education; it’s an attack on education. When schools are attacked, children can’t go to school. People are afraid to provide or administer assistance.”On the Day of the African Child, we recognize the importance of protecting education as a fundamental right for children and a cornerstone for peace and security. In Rwanda, where a devastating genocide tore apart the nation’s social fabric, education has played a pivotal role in fostering reconciliation and rebuilding society. In the aftermath of the genocide, Rwanda’s education system faced immense challenges. Schools were destroyed, teachers killed, and access to education was severely limited. The government, recognizing the urgent need to address these challenges, embarked on an ambitious education reform program. Central to this program was a focus on expanding access to quality education for all children, regardless of their background or location. The government invested heavily in building new schools and rehabilitating existing ones, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It also introduced free primary and secondary education, significantly reducing the financial burden on families. As a result of these efforts, Rwanda has made remarkable progress in terms of education access. Today, the country boasts a literacy rate of over 90%, and girls make up the majority of students in secondary and tertiary education. This progress has not only contributed to the social and economic development of Rwanda but has also laid the foundation for a more peaceful and secure future. Education provides children with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities, empowering them to make informed decisions and contribute positively to their communities. It fosters tolerance and respect for diversity, breaking down the barriers of prejudice and discrimination that can lead to conflict. Moreover, education gives children a sense of purpose and hope. It provides them with the opportunity to develop their talents and aspirations, empowering them to become active agents of change in their society. By investing in education, Rwanda is investing in its future, creating a generation of young people who are equipped to build a more peaceful and prosperous nation. On this Day of the African Child, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting education as a fundamental right for all children. By ensuring access to quality education, we not only empower children but also create a foundation for a more peaceful and secure future for generations to come.