Child-Friendly Version

If you’ve been keeping up with these blog posts you probably have a pretty good idea of what human rights are. It’s what we all deserve to have and be treated with – like having a home, being safe, and having food to eat. These are rights that everybody has. But you’ve probably also realised through these blogs that children have special rights. These rights are called children’s rights, and they are important to make sure that all children are healthy, happy, and growing up well.

One of the most important rights for children to grow is the right to education and play. Every child deserves to go to school and learn new things, but not all children have the same opportunities. Some children may have a hard time going to school because of their disability or because they live in poverty. This is not fair, and that’s why the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child wants to make sure that every child has access to a good education.

The UN Committee also wants to make sure that children can play and have fun. Did you know that playing isn’t just for fun? It is actually important for children’s development to live a healthy life. It helps them learn new things, be creative, and make new friends. But sometimes, children are not allowed to play or they don’t have safe places to play. That’s why the UN Committee is asking governments to make sure that children can play and have fun in safe places.

Children in Scotland have been talking about these issues too. They want to make sure that their schools are welcoming and respectful places, where they can feel safe and happy to learn and to feel supported by their teachers, rather than just feel afraid of them.

 “Try and understand what is going on in our life and in our heads instead of automatically giving out detention or worse, abuse.” (MCP)

 They also want to make sure that the education system helps them develop all their skills, not just their ability to take tests.

 They also want to make sure that the education system helps them develop all their skills, not just their ability to take tests.

“It doesn’t help your talent. It only helps with literacy and numeracy.” (Education Reform consultation)

Together’s members who are organisations who work with children also want to protect children’s right to play and education. They want to make sure that all children, including babies and very young children, have access to play, arts, and cultural experiences.

We hope to see the UN Committee pick up on these issues during Thursday and Friday’s review – particularly those issues raised by children and young people. Make sure you follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up-to-date with the review.

Stay tuned for our next article on special protection measures coming out at 08:00am tomorrow!