Petrina Francis, Education Reporter
Dr. Lloyd Barnett (foreground), chairman of the Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights (IJCHR), and Senator Noel Montieth (centre), State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, examine copies of the Human Rights Education Primary Level Resource Manual during the book launch at the Education Ministry's head office in Kingston, yesterday. In background is Adelle Brown, chief education officer in the Education Ministry. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
IN AN effort to infuse human rights concepts into the school curriculum, the Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights (IJCHR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, yesterday launched two manuals for primary schools.
Dubbed 'Human Rights Education Primary Level Resource Manual', the books are expected to promote the development of national consciousness and the recognition of human rights and civil liberties.
"We are convinced that much of the conflict and much of the human rights violation which takes place in our society can be alleviated, if we start the process of helping our children to understand their basic or fundamental rights as human beings," said Senator Noel Monteith, State Minister for Education.
Senator Monteith was speaking at the launch of the resource materials, held at the Education Ministry's head office on National Heroes Circle, Kingston.
TWO CATEGORIES
The manuals, which are divided into two categories: grades one to three and grades four to six are to be implemented in primary schools by January.
It is also expected that the manuals will be implemented in other levels of the education system at a later date.
Senator Monteith said that, on December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
He noted that, following the historic occasion, the assembly urged all member-countries to publicise the text of the
declaration and facilitate its dissemination and explanation in schools.
"I don't think that, as a country and as a ministry, we have placed as significant an emphasis on human rights in our curricular offerings at all levels of the system as we ought to have done," the Junior Education Minister said.
IJCHR Chairman Dr. Lloyd Barnett described the launch of the manuals as "a special moment in which we are justly proud."
ENRICHING CURRICULUM
Senator Monteith challenged teachers not to view the new manuals as additional work, but to use it as a creative means of enriching the existing primary curriculum.
Adelle Brown, chief education officer in the Education Ministry, lauded the IJCHR on its initiative in producing the manuals.
Mrs. Brown told the gathering that human rights groups are often viewed with suspicion but noted that she was totally comfortable with the partnership with the IJCHR.
Goals of the human rights education project:
Students to gain a better, more informed understanding of their rights and responsibilities as well as a greater tolerance for the rights of others.
The resources are to inspire students and teachers to consider peaceful ways of resolving disputes, which in turn benefit the entire society.
