Please send your kids to school - Education Minister pleads with Lotu Kadrala Faith Group

14/07/2010

The Education Minister is pleading with the Lotu Kadrala Faith Group at Vatukacevaceva Village in Ra, that they send their children to school. he further added that should their children continue to miss school, they will miss out on a lot of opportunities in life.

In a report compiled by our Education Officers at Rakiraki today, government officials visited the faith group to reconsider their stand against sending their children to school.

According to our officers, their efforts proved futile as the group remained firm on their stance.

In its efforts to achieve 12 years of basic education, the Ministry has introduced a number of initiatives, which should lighten family economic burdens. That includes free textbooks, free transportation, free tuition and other grants given directly to schools.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child respects the rights and duties of parents in providing religious and moral guidance to their children.  

Religious groups around the world have expressed support for the Convention, which indicates that it in no way prevents parents from bringing their children up within a religious tradition.  

At the same time, the Convention recognizes that as children mature and are able to form their own views, some may question certain religious practices or cultural traditions.

The Convention supports children's right to examine their beliefs, but it also states that their right to express their beliefs implies respect for the rights and freedoms of others.  

What the Convention says:  
•    States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. (Art. 14.1 )  
•    States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child. (Art. 14.2)  
•    Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. (Art. 14.3)  
Article 28 also states:  
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:  
(a) make primary education compulsory and available free to all;  
(e) take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.

With these in mind, the Ministry is hopeful that common sense and goodwill will prevail and that children should be given the freedom to attend school and pursue their dreams in life.

Filipe Bole
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.