Launch of Human Rights Guide for Schools
A major resource on human rights education has been lauched in Parliament Buildings at Stormont. The guide will be used by teachers to explore human rights issues as part of the curriculum in secondary schools in Northern Ireland.
The idea is that, with the use of the materials, students will get a fuller understanding of human rights and citizenship issues.
The guide was developed through a unique partnership of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Department of Education and the five Education and Library Boards. The new teaching resource was piloted by teachers in 30 schools and has been distributed to all post primary schools across Northern Ireland.
Gerry McGinn, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education, said that "All the international conventions on human rights lay great stress on the right to education. Each of us needs access to an effective, inclusive education which will prepare us and enable us to play our full part in society." He also said, "Within the curriculum, opportunities will be taken to promote human rights and to create an awareness of and respect for individuals' feelings and opinions. Incorporated within this will be a respect for individual differences and an acceptance of an individual's right to personal choice."
Do you think it is a good idea to study human rights and citizenship within schools? Do you think it will make a difference in Northern Ireland? Why not head over to the Messageboard now and post your views?
