By: Michael Kofi Kenetey
The National Director of SOS Children’s Villages, Ghana, Alexander Mar Kekula, has revealed that they have equipped one hundred and ten teachers from 43 schools with skills and strategies to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region. This, he reiterated, forms part of their drive to promote STEM education in the Atiwa East District. Mr. Kekula was speaking during an inauguration of a Community Child Protection Committee and Child Rights Club in New Jejeti organized by the Ghana Education Service, GES, Social Welfare, and Community Development in the Atiwa East District, in collaboration with the SOS Children’s Village.
The inauguration began with a float through some principal streets of New Jejeti with the pupils holding placards with inscriptions “Say No To Child Abuse and Child Labor,” “Say No To Child Neglect,” “Stop Domestic Abuse Against Children,” “It Takes All Hands To Protect One Child,” and “Stop Drug Abuse, It Can Harm You in The Future,” among others. It brought together traditional leaders, social welfare unit, parents, young beneficiaries, and pupils of New Jejeti Methodist, RC, and Presbyterian Basic Schools.
The pupils performed poetry recitals, choreography, and drama on child protection rights to educate and entertain the gathering. The programme was used to present startup tools to young people in skill training as well as business certificates to the beneficiaries. The schools were also provided with sanitary materials as well as hexagonal chairs for one hundred and eight pupils. The adult literacy students were not left out; they were presented with rechargeable lamps.
Speaking at the inauguration, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages, Ghana, Alexander Mar Kekula, noted that through their investment in inclusive education, they have reached out to 285 teachers from 24 community schools, enabling them to support children of all abilities and ensure that no learner is left behind. He emphasized that the outdooring of the Child Protection Committees and Child Rights Clubs are not just symbolic gestures but their practical and community-led mechanisms to address the challenges confronting children.
Mr. Mar Kekula mentioned some positive impacts they have made in the lives of caregivers and young people.
The Social Welfare Unit Head of Atiwa East District, Cynthia Klu, urged the members of the Child Protection Committee and Child Rights Clubs to work hard to help promote the rights of children in the community.
