Pictures of peer educators and the CEO of National Council of Children Addressing the students

In June 2022, as celebrations of the constitution week were being carried out in Seychelles, the Independent School in collaboration with the National Council for Children (NCC) held assemblies at both primary and secondary sections of the school that aimed at promoting the rights of the child.

The school counselors and the peer educators club of the Independent School working closely with the NCC organized assemblies on both Union Vale and Ile Du Port campuses to remind students of their rights and responsibilities.

The assemblies on both campuses started with a brief speech from the school Principal Mr Esparon who welcomed the CEO of NCC and highlighted the school’s role in ensuring the protection of the rights of children under their care. The principal also made mention of the rights enshrined within the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Following the principals opening speech, the peer educators club of the school did a presentation on some articles of the UNCRC and emphasized through the presentation the responsibilities that accompany the rights. While students are more aware of their rights, the peer educators who did the presentation during the assembly reiterated that students should as well remember their responsibilities.

As the assembly drew to an end Mrs Umarji, CEO of the National Council for Children, addressed the student population. In her address she made mention of the UNCRC, informing the students of how the UNCRC IS being implemented in Seychelles to ensure the protection of children’s rights. The

National Council for Children (NCC) has a mandate to promote the rights of children of Seychelles as laid down by the UNCRC which was ratified by the government of Seychelles. In light of NCC’s work, their presence at the school during this program shows the importance they place in fostering children’s rights in the country as one primary mandate the organization has is to advice government of Seychelles to take into consideration the rights enshrined in the UNCRC.

However, as the CEO of NCC and the peer educators club of the Independent School emphasize during the assembly children in Seychelles should remember that as long as they have rights, they also have responsibilities.

Mrs Ayuk

School Counselor