#InternationalDayOfEducation
Tomorrow is International Day of Education. Every child has a right to an education that develops their personality, talents, and abilities to their full potential. Education is a priority issue for the office and our report “This is our lives, it matters a lot”: Putting children’s rights at the heart of education makes recommendations on improving the education system. Some of these relate to the culture in school. The theme of this year’s International Day of Education recognises the importance of children’s voices in developing inclusive and equitable education. To mark the day, Young Advisor Elsie, 15, blogs about an aspect of education that she feels passionate about: the crucial role teachers have in delivering children’s rights, what makes a good teacher, and why they can have such an impact on a child…
Elsie’s Blog
“A good teacher listens to us, not just our words, but also our behaviour, which can sometimes say even more.”
All children have the right to an education (UNCRC article 28). For the majority of us, education takes place in school. Therefore, going to school is something almost every child in Scotland will experience. Schools all around the world are different in many ways, but one thing they all have in common is teachers.
Teachers are people who influence us every day. The impact a teacher has can stay with a child for their whole life and can sometimes affect important personal decisions. Teachers can even be the reason a child does or doesn’t want to go to school. In just a few minutes, they can change the mood of our entire day. The pressure a child might feel from such an influential person in their life can shape their opinions and sometimes stop them from fully enjoying both learning and play (article 31).
A teacher is a vital part of our lives. They can encourage us to be ourselves and feel confident. Children often see the world differently from adults, so it is important for teachers and other influential adults to understand our needs. A good teacher takes the time to recognise what a child requires, both academically and emotionally (article 29).
A good teacher looks after their students and notices when someone might be struggling. They listen to us, not just to the words we say, but also to our actions and behaviour, which can sometimes say even more. Children are not always able to explain exactly how we feel, so it’s important that a teacher is patient and tries to understand rather than dismiss us. This helps ensure children feel safe and protected while at school (article 19).
As children, we should be able to rely on teachers to encourage and support us. Children have the right to be listened to and our views taken seriously (article 12). We should not be ignored or turned away by teachers, but instead we should feel comfortable sharing our thoughts and ideas. All children should also be treated fairly and equally, no matter who they are (article 2).
A good teacher is friendly, welcoming, and understanding. They make us feel comfortable in their classroom and are willing to make changes if it helps a child learn or feel better. As children grow and change, a great teacher continues to adapt to support us in the best way possible, and ensures we can enjoy our rights fully.