…As UNICEF Country Representative Urges Gov’t to Prioritize Children’s Future
By G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
Sallay Bah, a disabled student of “Hope for the Deaf” has lamented the troubling situation faced by children living with disabilities with access to quality education in Liberia.
Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides that, “Every child has the right to an education. Primary education should be free. Secondary and higher education should be available to every child. Children should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level possible. Discipline in schools should respect children’s rights and never use violence.”
But at the celebration of International Children’s Day, November 20, 2024, Sallay intimated that the lack of Inclusive learning environment across the country is continuing to limit children with disability, especially those living with speech and vision impairment.
His words: “The lack of Inclusive school has caused many children living with disability, especially those of us who are speech or visually impaired to be left out of school.”
Though there are schools exclusively for people living with speech and visual disabilities, she averred that those schools lack the required academic resources. Unfortunately, she said this has led to the abundance of these schools and it has placed serious hindrance to their learning. “There is no academic resource at the schools for people living with disabilities. People living with disability are abandoned,” she narrated.
At the occasion which was held under the theme, “Listen to the Future,” she added that despite efforts by a person living with disability to complete primary and secondary school, there is absolutely no opportunity for higher education. “Despite our efforts to complete primary and secondary school, there is no opportunity for higher education. There is no sign language interpreter or any assistance for those who are visually impaired at any higher institution of learning.”
At the same time, the UNICEF Liberia Country representative, Andy Brooks intimated that after 35 Years since the adoption of the most universally ratified human rights Convention or Treaty in the world, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the celebration of the world children’s day reflect not only on the progress made in Liberia but also on the risks and opportunities ahead.
He provided that in Liberia, children make up nearly 42% of the population, therefore, it is important to pay close attention to this year’s theme, “Listen to the future”; listen to the voices of its youngest citizens. As the Government of Liberia closes in on the completion of its next five-year development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), Andy called on the government to provide a set of measures that collectively can be transformative in the lives of Liberian children and can set an agenda for implementation within the AAID in the years to come.
“As we reflect on progress and new frontiers for children in Liberia on World Children’s Day, we call for a set of measures that collectively can be transformative in the lives of Liberian children and can set an agenda for implementation within the AAID in the years to come.”
He added that despite the challenges,
there are some tangible signs of progress in key areas for children’s development.
Adding that the launch of the “Back to My Classroom Campaign’ from the Ministry of Education, the launch of the Child Survival Strategy and Action Plan from the Ministry of Health, and the initiative from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to reunify children living and working on the streets with their families are all sign of securing the future of every Liberian child.
He stated that the core principle of the CRC is non-discrimination, ensuring every child, regardless of background, has access to opportunities. In furtherance, the UNICEF Liberia country representative stated that the right to quality education is fundamental under the CRC. He said the AAID’s education reforms, including skills development and vocational training, are vital for equipping children with the tools they need to succeed.
Moreover, he noted that through the “Back to My Classroom” campaign, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, progress is underway to massively increase school enrollment and attendance rates over the next three years.
He called on the national government to strengthen and decentralize structures for efficient service delivery, stating that government efforts to increase educational access, especially in underserved regions, demonstrate a commitment to providing every child with a fair start in life.
“Efforts to increase educational access, especially in underserved regions, demonstrate a commitment to providing every child with a fair start in life. We call for the strengthening of decentralized structures for efficient service delivery, linked to equitable evidence-informed policies to strengthen the capacity of school principals and teachers to provide quality education as children’s access progressively increases.”
Meanwhile, Andy Brooks stated that though the Convention on the Rights of Children calls for a child-friendly justice system, Liberia has yet to create said environment. He added that Children continue to face harsh realities within the legal system. And that they are often detained for months without trial in overcrowded prisons, at times mixed with adult prisoners, enduring poor health conditions, inadequate sanitation, malnutrition, and a lack of rehabilitation programs.
However, he asserted that by investing in training for law enforcement and judiciary personnel and implementing effective diversion programs, Liberia can create a justice system that truly protects the rights of every child in Liberia. “The CRC calls for a child-friendly justice system. Yet, in Liberia, children continue to face harsh realities within the legal system.
They are often detained for months without trial in overcrowded prisons, at times mixed with adult prisoners, enduring poor health conditions, inadequate sanitation, malnutrition, and a lack of rehabilitation programs. By investing in training for law enforcement and judiciary personnel, and implementing effective diversion programs, we can create a justice system that truly protects the rights of every child in Liberia.”
At the same time, the UN envoy urged the government and partners to prioritize investments in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. He asserted that by investing in WASH infrastructure, promoting hygiene in education, and supporting community-led initiatives, Liberia can significantly improve the health, well-being, and education of millions of Liberian children.
“As we celebrated “World Toilet Day” yesterday, our attention turned to the need to prioritize investments in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. By investing in WASH infrastructure, promoting hygiene education, and supporting community-led initiatives, we can significantly improve the health, well-being, and education of millions of Liberian children. Preventing waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and school absenteeism will ensure that every child can reach their full potential.
His words: “There is an urgent need to finalize and endorse the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Roadmap and WASH Compact, as part of the Head of State Initiative and global leadership agenda for WASH. These critical documents will provide a clear roadmap to universal access to safe water and sanitation and guide our collective efforts to eliminate open defecation and we are proud to be part of a collective action with partners to have these signed and adopted by World Water Day in March 2025.”
Brooks postulated that listening to the future means valuing children’s voices and ensuring their active participation in decisions that affect them. He continued by asserting that the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development reflects an important step towards the rights and well-being of Liberia’s youngest citizens.
He said by aligning with the principles of the CRC —non-discrimination, inclusion, the best interests of the child, and child participation – Liberia can set a foundation for a brighter future where every child’s voice is heard, and every child’s potential can be realized.
Therefore, he called for a collective effort to work together to ensure that Liberia’s children are treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness.
“It’s time to join hands and work together to ensure that Liberia’s children are treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness. As we celebrate World Children’s Day, let us all commit to “Listen to the Future” to create a Liberia where every child can not only survive but really thrive.”
At the occasion which was held under the theme, “Listen to the Future,” the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection at the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, Fedrick Cooper asserted that the theme serves as a reminder that children are not just the leaders of tomorrow–they are also the active change-makers of today.
The Deputy Minister further committed that government to listen to the plight of every Liberian child irrespective of their physical status to ensure that their dreams come to reality. He noted that the voices of children have the power to shift the world’s future.
“Today, we commit to listening to their hopes, dreams, and visions for the future, recognizing that their voices hold the power to shape a better, brighter, and more inclusive world.
In furtherance, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating spaces where children can thrive through accessing their basic rights.
“As a government, we are steadfast in our commitment to advancing the rights
and the well-being of children. Today, as we reflect on the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we reaffirm our dedication to creating spaces where children can thrive through quality education, healthcare, protection, and active participation in decisions that affect their lives.”
He added that World Children’s Day is not just a celebration; it is a call to action for governments, communities, schools, and families to champion the rights of
every child. Therefore, he believes it is the government’s will to ensure that every child in Liberia has the opportunity to realize their full potential.
