As T&T grapples with incidents of child abuse and neglect, the Cedar Grove Private School in Palmiste made the issue front and centre during their annual school walkathon.
Holding placards promoting peace and love, the pupils walked down Chin Aleong Drive and up Palmiste Boulevard before returning to their school compound on Saturday. Principal Dillon Daniel emphasised that child abuse should never be tolerated, noting that children have the right to safety and happiness.
“Children have a right to love, education, and freedom to express themselves, and the right to safety at home, in the classroom, or wherever they may be,” he said. Their central message, he added, was to “love our nation’s children and say no to child abuse.”
“It’s a message we are trying to promote because of the high incidence of child abuse. We have heard of so many children being abused; we don’t need to call their names, but we are trying to do our part to say no to child abuse,” he explained.
Daniel noted that the children enjoyed making placards bearing positive statements such as “Say no to violence,” “Stop the fighting,” “Be peacemakers,” and “Show patience, honesty, and kindness.” They hope to send a message that children everywhere can be peacemakers, Daniel said.
He added, “If someone is going through abuse, we encourage them to speak to someone in authority. Children can speak to their teachers. From my experience as an educator, teachers live up to that ideal of being protectors.” He stressed that teachers should report incidents to the Children’s Authority.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Board of Directors, Nirad Ramrekhersingh, urged abused children never to feel alone and isolated.
The public is reminded that all abuse and maltreatment of children should be reported to the Police at 999 and the Authority at 996 or 800-2014.
