[hr-education] Training of HRE teachers at primary school level

Dear members,

All the strategies for introducing HRE at the primary level (policy &
curriculum) discussed on this listserv during the past months -in the
framework of the Global Consultation on the World Programme for HRE- sound
great and are challenging. But I feel this challenge can be met only by
trained and humane teachers. There is no mention of this aspect.

The condition and quality of teachers in the developing countries (I
belong to India) is grim. There are criminal cases against teachers who
beat their primary class students to the extent of disbling them. The
ancient respect for teachers/gurus as we call them in India has turned
into a culture of hostility towards them as parents have become over
protected and possessive of their children, which is a natural reaction.
In turn, the teachers teach less in the schools and encourage the students
to go for private tutoring, justifying the acts that students do not
"study".

So in this culture, firstly, introduction of human rights education is
going to encounter drastic and grave obstacles at grassroot level
implementation.

Secondly, the policies should explicitly lay down policies and action
plans to mobilize and train the human rights teachers/trainers.

Thirdly, as small children learn more by example than words, the spiritual
quotient of the teachers should be high in order to build the faith of the
small kids in the principles of equality/non-discimination, respect for
life and human dignity and freedom.

If inhumane teachers teach human rights, they would turn into nothing but
empty rhetoric like in politics!

Regards

Ms. Kanwal Preet
Human Rights Consultant (research and training)
New Delhi
India



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