JCC Pupils Urged To Keep Speaking Up For Their Rights

GONDOKORO ISLAND—Pupils at JCC Hai Negli in Gondokoro Island have been urged to continue speaking out and advocating for their rights beyond the classroom after girls defeated boys in a debate on equal education opportunities in education.

The call was made on Monday by Amos Abiria John, Programs Manager at the Human Foundation for Humanity, during a debate on the motion “Girls and Boys should be given the same opportunity in Education.”

The girls’ proposition team won the debate, scoring 329 points, while the boys’ opposition team scored 273 points.

Amos said the debate should mark the beginning of action by pupils, rather than the end of a discussion, stating that the debate allowed pupils to build confidence, strengthen their public-speaking skills and discuss issues affecting children in their schools and communities.

But he urged them to continue using their voices after the competition to raise awareness on the need to give boys and girls equal opportunities.

“What you have discussed today should not end here. Let it continue to prevail. Continue speaking for your rights. Continue advocating for your protection,” Amos said.

He called on teachers and other stakeholders to listen to pupils, protect them from abuse and create more opportunities for them to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

Amos said pupils had demonstrated that they could engage with issues including gender-based violence, child protection, child marriage and their rights and responsibilities.

He also urged teachers not to remain silent when children are at risk.

“Protecting the children, especially the school-going age, is not the responsibility of one person, but it is a collective responsibility of each and every one of us,” he said.

James Ladu Joseph, Director of Studies at JCC Hai Negli, Dokobur Branch, Gondokoro Island said the debate was helping pupils understand their rights while building their confidence to express themselves.

He said equality should be understood by both boys and girls, while pupils should also recognize and develop their individual talents.

“If you are a boy, you need to know that you are equal with the girls, and if you are a girl, you need to know that you have to know your rights,” James said.

James said teachers could not prepare the next generation on their own and called for continued support from the wider community.

“We as teachers here, alone with our energy and ability, we cannot raise such kind of generation,” he said.

The debate provided pupils with a platform to discuss gender equality in education and broader issues affecting children in their communities.

Amos urged the pupils to remain confident and continue learning and speaking out.

“You are not only leaders of tomorrow, you are an important member of your community,” he said.