National Strategic Plan On Violence Against Children In Schools 2015-2020

Abstract

Access to education is one of the fundamental rights of every child which should be delivered in a conducive and safe learning environment. With the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and the Universal Secondary Education (USE)5 , the Government of Uganda has greatly improved primary and secondary school enrolment for both girls and boys6 including those with disabilities. For these programmes to be effective, children need to access quality education in a safe learning environment. However, available research shows that violence against children in schools is widespread and occurs in almost all settings. Violence against children in schools has adverse effects to children7 including undermining their right to access quality education, the right to be protected and the right to development among others despite Government commitments and programme interventions on violence against children. Taking concrete actions on violence against children in schools is therefore important to the attainment of the global aspirations on a safe learning environment as well as the national objectives contained in the Vision 2040, the National Development Plan (2010/11-2014/15), the Government White Paper on Education, the Education Sector Strategic Plan (2004-2015) and the Government of Uganda –UNICEF Country Programme Action Plan (2010-2014). The UN Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC) defines ‘violence’ as all forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse8 . In context of this strategy, violence against children in schools refers to all acts of violence inflicted on children of school going age 3-18 years within the school setting9 . These include: 5. Acts of violence on children in schools and during school activities, 6. Acts of violence on children on their way from homes to schools, 7. Acts of violence on children on their way from schools back to their homes.