According to The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child a child is a human being below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, the majority is attained earlier. At birth, a child takes on the social and economic status of their parents and may be subject to abuse if special care and attention are not given them. They are minors who are socialized through education, formal or informal. From birth, Every child by nature can be said to be a social animal that can only develop its personality through social interaction. Through social interaction, children learn their cultural values and duties. In the same way, through education, children can be taught their fundamental rights. Not only do children come to learn their rights through education, but education also guarantees they enjoy those rights.
Rights of children
The Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and came into action on the 2nd of September of the following year. These rights include but are not limited to the right to be protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child\’s parents, legal guardians, or family members. It states that the best interest of children is always the primary consideration when dealing with a child and that children also have rights to protection and care for their well-being. They have the right to life, development, name, identity, parents, and nationality, they also have the right not to be separated from their parents. Furthermore, they have the right to freedom of expression, thought, religion, conscience, association, privacy, and the right to information, among others.
Education as the Key
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In Africa, the way children can escape poverty is through education. Education is the key to unlocking the enjoyment of the rights of an African child in Africa. Education has the potential to make children aware of their rights as well as the guarantee of enjoyment of those rights. Although a child may be born into a lower-class family, through education that child can acquire new values for life, and rise above that poverty. Education changes the social and cultural status as well as the economic status of children. Education enables children to develop new personalities, reform attitudes, and secure future carers. Education changes the political, religious, and economic lives of individuals and families. The child\’s right to attaining well-being and full participation in society can be actualized through education.
Conclusion
Education allows African children to enjoy their rights as humans. Consequently, It will be good for the world to rally around Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. In doing so, we will promote the rights of children in the world and in Africa.