STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN NIGERIA'S SCHOOLS!

Whereas children have always been entrusted to the care of adults both at home and in school, it is expected of the adults to safeguard these children and ensure the duty of care while they are in their custody.

We have sadly observed increased cases of child abuse *(such as)*, beating, flogging, molestation, rape and all other forms of child abuse especially from adults in the school system in Nigeria. Physical violence was found by UNICEF to be the most prevalent form of abuse against the Nigerian child, with 90 percent of cases occurring in schools in rural areas and 80 percent in urban areas.

Children have been WOUNDED, HARMED and TORTURED by the constant FLOGGING, BEATING, and various other forms of corporal punishment in schools.

We hereby demand a STOP TO EVERY FORM OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THE NIGERIAN CHILD IN SCHOOLS BOTH IN THE PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SECTOR.

WE DEMAND AN END TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF THE NIGERIAN CHILD AS A FORM OF DISCIPLINE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

We are not suggesting that we should not discipline our students but we do insist that discipline does not mean punishment beating or flogging.

We advocate a replacement of all these forms of violence against children with proven corrective, supportive and child centered approaches to discipline using reinforcements to modify behaviour which will achieve a lasting positive change in our children all across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

Nigerian children can learn with dignity, they must be taught as dignified human beings not sub human beings.

Please join us and sign this petition to

"ABOLISH ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THE NIGERIAN CHILD IN SCHOOLS NOW"