Lessons on social and legal protection of children to begin

In order to prevent a repetition in other Ukrainian schools of the incident which took place in Chernivtsi (where older students committed acts of physical and psychological violence against children from more junior classes), the Minister of Justice Roman Zvarych has issued an Order in accordance with which in general education schools and vocational colleges lessons on social and legal protection of children will be run.

In order to ensure that children are protected against all forms of physical and psychological violence and encroachments upon their honour and dignity, employees of the Department on coordinating legal work and education will over the course of the next month make children and teenagers aware of the Articles of the Constitution of Ukraine, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Laws of Ukraine “On protection of childhood”, “On education” and other legislative and normative acts.

In addition, meetings, seminars and consultations on explaining norms of current legislation regarding the protection of the rights of the children and responsibility for their violation will be run for deputy school heads responsible for educational issues.

In order to provide free legal information and consultative help to children, parents, and others looking after children, Ministry of Justice bodies will take part in the work of psychological services, consultative centres attached to social services for the family, children and young people and services for minors, as well as in the “Telephone Helpline” network.

The first lesson on social and legal protection of children in one Kyiv school during the next week will be given by the Minister of Justice.