Rights clubs curb student indiscipline

Ho, Oct. 20, GNA- Mr. Richard Quayson, a Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Thursday prescribed Human Rights Clubs and Human Rights related activities in second-cycle schools as a means of curbing student indiscipline.

To this end, he appealed to Heads of such institutions to take up the issue of human rights as projects to prepare students for responsible citizenship and human rights advocates.

Mr Quayson gave the prescription at the launching in Ho on Thursday of the nationwide Human Rights quiz competition for second-cycle schools as part of the 12-anniversary celebration of the establishment of CHRAJ. The joint theme for the anniversary and quiz competition is "Developing a vibrant Human rights Culture as a framework for national development" and is being sponsored by DANIDA.

Regarding the quiz competitions, Mr Quayson said these would be held in each region to select winning schools to compete at the southern and northern zonal levels respectively, culminating in the national championship to be held in Accra on December 10, 2005 as part of the International Human Rights Day with attractive prizes at stake. He said human rights advocacy is a collective responsibility in which the role of the youth could not be dispensed with.

Mr. Kpoti Mensah, Eastern Regional Director of CHRAJ implored the youth to be knowledgeable in human rights issues and laws as a weapon for protecting themselves and others against human rights abuses. He said CHRAJ would now shift emphasis from political rights to social rights.

Meanwhile, Kpando Secondary School, emerged winners of the competition held as part of the launching, with 53 points ahead of Mawuli School 50 points, OLA Secondary School 47 points, Tsito Secondary Technical School 35 points and Mawuko Girls' Secondary 21 points. Kpando Secondary thus qualified to participate in the Southern zone competition next month.

The quiz was based on knowledge about CHRAJ, Human Rights in general and Human Rights related problems.