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Bulawayo Bureau

CHILD President Mukudzeishe Madzivire has urged the Government to prioritise the teaching of the country’s Constitution at primary and secondary schools.

In a recent interview, Madzivire said he had observed that many children had no knowledge on the country’s supreme law, which in effect, is the basis of their rights to life.

He said the initiative will help children to participate in human rights campaigns and protect their rights.

“Many Zimbabwean children are barely aware of their rights. If one conducts a random sample population about the Constitution you will be met with confusion.

“Ask them about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and you have lost them. We want to break the trend and get children to actively participate in our human rights education campaigns,” said Madzivire.

Madzivire, a pupil at Christian Brothers’ College in Bulawayo, said there was also need to deepen children’s knowledge of climate change considering the recurrent droughts affecting the country.

He said this will help them take part in agricultural activities.

“Zimbabwe, from the children aspect, has for so long excluded itself from discussions regarding climate change because people believe it is a Western idea.

“Ironically, without a sustainable climate, our agro-based economy suffers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Madzivire said Junior Parliamentarians will be holding a primary schools public speaking competition meant to address issues that affect children.