Rita Perakis’ Post

Scottish Union for Education – Newsletter No67 is available to read. Newsletter Themes: the confusion created in children’s minds by overexposure to inappropriate ideas, and disaster education - part 3 #scottisheducation #scotland #education https://lnkd.in/dSdk4uRU

🚸 Youth Take the Lead: SGBV Awareness Sweeps Through Schools 🚸 In a groundbreaking initiative, schools across the region are becoming hubs of change in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). 🌍✨ Recent awareness sessions have empowered students to become advocates for change, shaping a future free from SGBV. 💪💬 Four intensive sessions were conducted in primary and secondary schools, focusing on equipping students with knowledge about SGBV protection mechanisms and encouraging them to report any misconduct. 🛡️ REWAC played a pivotal role, training school counselors to handle cases with child-friendly approaches, creating safe spaces for students to voice their concerns. 🗣️🏫 Students are taking initiative! 🌟 At St. Fredrick, a Girls Club meets twice a month to discuss SGBV-related issues. Sarah N., a club member, shares, "We're not just talking about SGBV; we're actively sensitizing our entire school during morning devotions." 📢 At GTHS, boys are leading a "He for Her" campaign. John M. explains, "Real strength is about respect and equality." 🤝💖 The impact is clear – increased reporting, student empowerment, and a comprehensive understanding of SGBV. 🚀 The success of these school awareness sessions demonstrates the power of engaging youth in the fight against SGBV. By educating and empowering students, we’re not just addressing current issues but also shaping a generation that actively rejects gender-based violence. 🌱💚 Read more about this inspiring initiative: : https://lnkd.in/dTYRcgBH 📖 #EndGBV #YouthEmpowerment #EducationForChange #RespectAndEquality #SupportSurvivors #EndSGBV #30DaysOfActivism #DomesticViolenceAct #SupportSurvivors #StopTheViolence #REWAC #RefugeeWelfareAssociation #OSIWA #OpenSocietyFoundations Open Society Foundations #Open-SocietyAfrica Open Society Foundations Open Society-Africa

During the ongoing first African Union Pan African Conference on Girls' and Women's Education (AU-PANCOGEd1) at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, I had the opportunity to participate in a panel session as an SRHR advocate, joined by fellow advocates and teen mentor mothers. I shared some key recommendations to education stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, donors, social and structural drivers, and institutions, aimed at reducing early and unintended pregnancies and supporting adolescent mothers in completing their education. It included: 1. Community-Led Approaches: It is essential to empower communities to take charge of their own projects to address the needs of girls. 2. Early Childhood Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): Many girls face challenges during adolescence because they are unprepared to make informed decisions. Providing quality knowledge about their rights and bodily autonomy from an early age equips them to respond better and make better decisions for their futures. 3. Supportive Learning Environments: Every girl deserves an education and should not face discrimination because she is a mother. A supportive learning environment motivates adolescents and young mothers to complete their education and pursue brighter futures. I called on all stakeholders to commit to fostering educated, healthy, and thriving adolescents and young people. By investing in them, we can secure a healthy future for generations to come.

🧡 Children’s rights and the experiences of teachers are at the heart of #LondonsInclusionCharter. 🤝 Our partnership with UNICEF UK offers the Rights Respecting Schools Award for free to all state funded education settings in all London boroughs. 🙌 This will remove financial barriers and give any state school or education setting interested in becoming Rights Respecting the opportunity to do so, creating a lasting impact for children in London. ➡️ Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eQgD57XF #LondonsInclusionCharter #RRSA

#Education provides stability and gives people the chance at better lives. It is even more important for children because without quality education, they face considerable barriers later in life. #Children are more likely to suffer negative health outcomes and less likely to participate in decisions that affect them – threatening their ability to shape a better future for themselves and their societies. Studies have found that children who attended high-quality early childhood education programs had better language and literacy skills, improved cognitive abilities, and better social-emotional development. Yet, progress towards equitable education in the US has been slow. "Education is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it empowers individuals, drives economic growth, and fosters social development." Visit the ACESWorld's website to see how we can address the educational #disparities in the US: https://shorturl.at/1WrOS Save the Children International UNICEF Education Cannot Wait (ECW)

✨ Building strong readers & proud identities! ✨ Our ROR team listened to an inspiring talk by Dr. Ashaunta T. Anderson to learn about her Cultural Pride Reinforcement for Early School Readiness ((CPR4ESR) program. The (CPR4ESR) program is testing how culturally themed books & guidance at well-child visits (ages 2-4) can boost cultural pride and early literacy in African American children. It's based on our Reach Out and Read model, which is evidence-based and has a proven track record of success! ✨Stay tuned! We'll share more about Dr. Ashaunta T. Anderson's research on how this program can help close the achievement gap and improve health outcomes for young African American children. "The mechanism by which CPR4ESR impacts behavioral health and literacy will be evaluated by statistical modeling. We hypothesize that: 1) caregivers who receive CPR4ESR will exhibit more CPR and book-sharing behaviors than those who do not, 2) children who receive CPR4ESR will exhibit better behavioral health and literacy than those who do not, and 3) increases in caregiver CPR and book-sharing behaviors will be associated with enhanced child behavior and literacy. This project will inform the development of interventions that address the negative health impact of racism on young African American children." >> Read More: https://ow.ly/Kpgz50QXf3x 📘 Featured below, one of the program's books I Love My Hair! by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley #CulturalPride #HealthEquity #EarlySchoolReadiness #ReachOutAndRead #HealthDisparities #ChildResilience #Literacy #ChildDevelopment #EarlyLiteracy #RacialSocialization

Our latest Sector’s Manifesto piece is from Luke Sparkes Dixons Academies Trust He sets out three policies to put schools at the heart of a civic mission: - a joint workforce plan between local services, enabling multi-disciplinary work to happen smoothly - mandating local convening partnerships in every area to ‘make people who live and breathe communities the core of the solution’ - a national mission to ‘reset child protection and wellbeing, fix the parlous state of children’s services and the care system, and fully recognise that childhood is now partially online’ ‘Education is a profession of ideas and delivery: we have proven that we can continue to deliver on the vapour trails of budgets long wrung dry. But the world has changed and so must the system. ‘We need a government who listens and responds, and who understands that a nation is built of individuals. Of one child, at one table, learning day by day’ You can read the full piece here👇 https://lnkd.in/eCKmwhp6

The 2024 Day of the African Child theme is "Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now," aligning with the African Union's declaration of 2024 as the Year of Education. Access to quality learning remains inaccessible for millions, especially for children with disabilities. Education is essential for individual and societal transformation. On this day, we must recommit to inclusive education. Governments must increase funding, improve teacher training, and remove barriers. Schools should provide accessible infrastructure and tailored support. Ensuring all children can access lifelong learning unlocks the boundless potential of Africa's youth. This day also coincides with Father's Day. Fathers play a vital role, yet cultural norms have relegated them. Involved fathers help children excel and build resilience. This trend must be reversed. Policymakers, communities, and fathers must redefine masculine identity and celebrate hands-on fathers. Workplace policies can enable fathers to bond with their children. By elevating fathers' roles, we unlock immense benefits. With their support, the next generation will be better equipped to overcome challenges and build a just, prosperous future. On this Day of the African Child, let us honour the fathers who nurture and empower their children. It is time we recognize them as essential partners in holistic development. Photo Description: The poster depicts a post for the Day of the African Child and Fathers' Day.

It's no secret that the SEND system in the UK has been facing significant challenges for some time now. Keegan, the children's commissioner for England, recently admitted that the system isn't working well "for anybody." This acknowledgment highlights the urgency of addressing the issues within the SEND system and finding solutions that will support the needs of all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. As experienced recruiters and professionals in the education sector, it's crucial for us to advocate for improvements within the SEND system. We need to work collaboratively with the government, educational institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to address the existing challenges and ensure that every child has access to the support they need to thrive in their learning journey. It's essential to prioritize the well-being and educational outcomes of children with SEND and implement reforms that will lead to a more effective and inclusive system. Let's continue to raise awareness, share insights, and support initiatives aimed at improving the SEND system. Together, we can drive positive change and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. #SENDsystem #InclusiveEducation #ChildrensWellbeing

It's no secret that the SEND system in the UK has been facing significant challenges for some time now. Keegan, the children's commissioner for England, recently admitted that the system isn't working well "for anybody." This acknowledgment highlights the urgency of addressing the issues within the SEND system and finding solutions that will support the needs of all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. As experienced recruiters and professionals in the education sector, it's crucial for us to advocate for improvements within the SEND system. We need to work collaboratively with the government, educational institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to address the existing challenges and ensure that every child has access to the support they need to thrive in their learning journey. It's essential to prioritize the well-being and educational outcomes of children with SEND and implement reforms that will lead to a more effective and inclusive system. Let's continue to raise awareness, share insights, and support initiatives aimed at improving the SEND system. Together, we can drive positive change and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. #SENDsystem #InclusiveEducation #ChildrensWellbeing