Vice-President launches Learn Without Fear in El Salvador
Congratulations to Plan El Salvador who have just launched Learn Without Fear across the whole country with the crucial support of the Vice President Sánchez Cerén. Speaking at the launch he said: "With this campaign we want to promote the prevention of school violence and child rights to members of the educational sector in order to build a culture of peace so necessary in these times".
In El Salvador, 42% of students have suffered from violence inflicted by peers or teachers and 10% of schoolgirls have suffered from sexual violence or harassment. To start to address this, children from 30 schools marched through the city to raise awareness and to condemn all forms of violence against children and young people. The Minister of Education – a major partner for Plan’s campaign - called for an end to corporal punishment in schools and the establishing of child-friendly schools.
The launch highlighted Learn Without Fear’s programme activities which will include teacher training on school violence and positive discipline, children’s participation to develop prevention strategies and the nation-wide implementation of a school manual created by children and teachers. This manual sets out rules and standards of behaviour for all pupils and teachers to abide by. An Observatory will also be established to facilitate a reporting system on school violence cases.
As well as direct programme work, Learn Without Fear will also educate the general public about the impact of school violence through the power of mass media, including radio jingles, TV and newspaper adverts, posters and billboards.
