Santos Foundation celebrated Universal Children’s Day with close to 300 students, teachers, parents, representatives from the provincial education office staging a march raising awareness on children’s rights at Kikori town in Gulf Province recently.
Kikori Literacy Library students and teachers were joined by United Church and Kikori Hospital elementary schools and older students from Kikori Secondary school for the march and a day of fun activities to mark the day.
East and West Kikori Early Childhood Coordinator, Nelly Oamu thanked and acknowledged the students for their effort in making the day a success and acknowledged the need for more collaboration in the education sector between the government, local businesses and resource companies that operate within the area.
Kikori Literacy Library students with their pla-cards during the Universal Children’s Day March in Kikori.
When addressing teachers Ms. Owamu reminded them, that they had a shared responsibility in the education of a child, and they were equally important in shaping and guiding their students.
“As teachers we are also responsible for developing our students, this responsibility does not only lay with parents but also with us and we must be committed to teaching our students.” Ms Owamu said.
Santos Foundation Programme Manager Community Development, Daisy Raburabu who had a key role in setup and the continued support of the Kikori Literacy Library emphasized the importance of individual members playing their part in education of children.
“We all have an important role to play in education of our children, starting from home with parents who are the child’s first teachers and providers, then we have teachers who are responsible for the educate our children and must show commitment to educating our students.”
“Children also have a responsibility to in their own education they must be eager to learn and absorb knowledge and at the same time show respect for both their parents and teachers and the community.” Ms Raburabu said.
The Santos Foundation currently support 4 literacy libraries: one in Kikori, one in Pimaga, and two in Hela. The program has been running since 2016, Since the program’s inception, there has been a total cumulative enrolment of over 1200 students.
Students, teachers accompanied by parents marching around Kikori to raise awareness of Children’s Rights during the Universal Children’s Day.
