NEW INSIGHTS FROM PODCAST AND WEBSITES
Podcast #60: Day of the African Child draws attention to children living with disabilities: June 11, 2012
In Soweto, South Africa, On June 16, 1976 there was hundreds of
children killed as they protest against the education system as they spoke for
the right to be taught in their language. This week June 14, 2012 in NEW YORK,
USA, they commemorated the day of the African Child for all the black children
that only wanted to be taught in their own language. The African Union selected
the theme for this year, ‘The Rights of Children with Disabilities’ for The Day
of the African Child which marks the 22nd anniversary of that day in
1976 Soweto, South Africa. There are many children living with disabilities who
are denied their right to education in South Africa. But the Convention on the
Rights of any Person with Disability has put the government under strict guide
line to provide education without discrimination. But in Africa there are a lot
of countries who do not accept children with disabilities therefore these
children are left behind. It sadden my heart to know that children are not been
allowed into the schools because of their disabilities and because of their
living condition.
Even though some
of our children may get left behind, and not from our country not having the
tools and policies in place. But because some parents are not educated enough
to know that their child has the right to and education no matter what their
circumstances are.
This podcast is very interesting with UNICEF podcast
moderator Femi Oke, “she discusses the rights of children with disabilities”
with Shuaib Chalklen, who has a spinal cord injury. I have posted the link
below:
http://www.unicef.org/videoaudio/ramfiles/10886nycdacdisabilitiesbsb60.ram
During this week in The Global Fund for Children newsletter, they are continuing their effort
to supports organizations who uses immediate and long-term strategies to serve
children who works to help support their family. It is very sad that today, there
are millions of children around the world who are working as maids, miners,
fishermen, sex workers, soldiers, and street vendors. The International Labor
Organization (ILO) estimates that 215 million children worldwide are involved
in child labor. From being sex slaves to drug trafficking, working in hazardous
and harmful jobs, slavery etc., these are things no adult should endure, let
alone a child. And for those who use children as sex labor, they should be in incarcerated
for life, that is the lowest of the low.
Thank you for the information you share. It is sad to me too to hear children are not allowed to be at school because of their disabilities - just wrong. Parents need to be empowered so they can become their children's advocates.
ReplyDeleteCarolina
Dear Gloria,
ReplyDeleteThis was quite interesting about the Soweto Day of African Children, as Carolina mentions I am too sad to hear children could be denied education due to their varying abilities.
My niece, who lives in Chile, has been denied entry in her main stream High School program because she is within the autistic spectrum. In Chile, children with special needs are not given rights to the same education as other children. Now my sister-in-law is fighting to get the private school to let her daughter have an aide in the classroom so she can remain in school.
I agree there should be more global advocacy for the rights of ALL children, regardless of their varying abilities.
Thanks for sharing!
-Angie
Thank you for sharing your resources again this week. Agreeing with the other comments, it is sad that education is not a right for every child, regardless of their abilities. The statistic shared through the Global Fund for Children, given by the International Labor Organization was shocking! I can not believe that there are 215 million children forced into child labor. That number sounds huge to me. I wish there were more people advocating for children's rights to help stop this. It is not fair for the children to lose their childhood, especially under these circumstances.
ReplyDeleteMelinda Thorneburg
Dear Gloria,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very intersting. It is really sad that they are denying children with disabilities their right to an education. I agree with you as well about parents not knowing the rights of education. parents need to get more involved and learned the ropes so that they will know the rights that the child have. No one should be denied the right to an education. Children with disabilities are being placed in regular classroom setting. Africa needs to step up and let these individuals have their right to an education.
Gloria,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your information. I shudder to think how many children are sold into slavery /child labor. I am angry that there is not more to combat this globally. I am thankful for the many organizations- their staff and volunteers to work against this practice and preserve childhod.
I agree with the others about EC professionals here and abroad to empower parents to 'fight' for their child's right to an education no matter if main stream or varying abilities.
Thanks for the information. I love this website because they are filled with ton of information. But its always sad to hear what other countries are doing to children I think all children should I have opportunity to be children and should have the equal rights even with or without disabilities. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Gloria,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your information this week. Like the others I find it very sad that a child is being denied their education because of a disability. It is important for parents of special needs children to learn and know thir rights when it comes time to their child's education. Hopefully by sharing this information more ECE proessionals will help parents fight for their children's rights. Great Blog!