1 Physical Education, Sports and Child Protection in Schools Elaine King, Adolescent and HIV/AIDS Specialist UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area February 2014

UNICEF Type your title in this FOOTER area and in CAPS Article 19 State Parties must take all measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, abuse, Injury, maltreatment CRC MANDATES CHILDREN’S RIGHTS TO SAFE, HEALTHY & PROTECTIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS Article 31 State Parties must ensure that institutions conform to standards set for the care and protection of children Article 2 Education must be provided without discrimination on any grounds Article 34 States Parties must take action to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse

UNICEF Type your title in this FOOTER area and in CAPS Caribbean has made great strides in achieving universal primary and secondary access but… Are schools acting to prevent and respond to violence, abuse and neglect, exploitation and discrimination of children? Are schools providing the positive, nurturing and supportive environments that young people need to thrive and reach their full potential?

As duty bearers it is important to act early and consciously to prevent harm to children and adolescents due to : - good intentions but poor practice - deliberate acts which result in physical or psychological harm Physical Education and Sport

Most countries report delivering PE and sports in schools Countries definitions of PE and Sports vary St. Lucia Sports Policy (draft): Physical Education …..process through which sport, outdoor adventure activities, dance, gymnastics, aquatics and games are used by physical educators to help students learn motor skills and to learn about and achieve physical fitness... Grenada Sports Policy: Physical Education – instructions in physical exercise and games as part of the school development programme. Sport is “… competitive, ruled based games, involving some degree of physical activity and exercise". Defining PE and Sports

Country SportsPhysical Education Anguilla Ministry of Social Development (Sport Dept.) Ministry of Social Development (Education Dept.) Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Education, Gender, Sports and Youth Affairs (Sports Dept.) Ministry of Education, Gender, Sports and Youth Affairs (Education Dept.) Barbados Ministry of Sports -National Sports Council Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation DominicaMinistry of Culture, Youths and SportsMinistry of Education Grenada Ministry of Youth, Sports, Ecclesiastic Affairs Ministry of Education St. Kitts & Nevis Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports, Information Technology, Telecommunication and Posts Ministry of Education and Information S. Lucia Ministry of Education, Human Resources, Youth and Sports (Sport Dept.) Ministry of Education, Human Resources, Youth and Sports (Education Dept.) St. Vincent & the Grenadines Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture Ministry of Education Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of SportsMinistry of Education Different Management & Oversight structures

SWOT - PE and Sports in Schools Strength Consistent school programmes in each country Rewarding performance as a motivator Compulsory implementation up to 3rd form ensure students involvement physical activity Interministerial approach for sustainability Competitions motivate students Links to community groups for sustainability Transferable skills to other subjects CSEC opens students to alternative career paths International college recruitment Weakness Inadequate facilities discourage students’ involvement in PES Shortage of trained educators/coaches Limited financial investment Equipment shortage discourages students Elective course option at 4th form limits students involvement Lack of Ministry integration limits national development Lack of integrative national policy Inadequate time allotment for PES Opportunity Esposure to alternative career opportunity PES improve teaching environment Motivate student participation in school environment Transferable skills to other areas of child's development Promote gender equality Inclusive environment for persons with disability Build parent/child/school relationships College scholarship opportunities Threat Finance Inadequate equipment Gaps in training Limited documentation on PES Little or no Policy guidance Facility inadequacy Bias selection process denies equal opportunity Exclusion criteria at national clubs limits equal involvement Political priority determines level of national investment

Ensure that policies and guidelines are in place for teachers and coaches as well as other support personnel to for a safe and protective environment for children

Stronger Protective Environment requires … Greater attention to physical safety of students – before, during and after schools Principals/teachers aware of their roles & responsibilities; with established contacts with relevant support agencies for timely and appropriate referrals Strong school-family-community cooperation Teachers and Counsellors with skills to identify and refer students with challenges Adoption & use of National Child Abuse Reporting Protocols 10

Greater emphasis on Positive, Supportive, Child-centred Learning Environments is essential if children are to reach their full potential Child Friendly Schools contribute to the holistic development of confident, well- informed and well-supported young people with positive self esteem Inclusive Gender sensitive Healthy, Protective environment Democratic Participation Child-centred

Created by Nicole N. Lynch Positive discipline is a proactive, effective and respectful way to manage behaviour Positive discipline is: Non-violent Solution Focused Respectful Non-punitive

Positive Discipline is Not: Permissiveness Letting students do what they want An absence of rules, limits or expectations Created by Nicole N. Lynch

At class level At wider school level In playground Through sports Enhancing Student Participation in School Students’ Council members strategizing at Paix Bouche Primary

Greater synergies between programmes a must HFLE cover 4 themes: Self & interpersonal relationships Eating & Fitness Sexuality and Sexual health Managing the environment

Child Protection Elements Parenting Education Capacity building for prevention and intervention Relevant policies and guidelines Comprehensive legal framework

DVD on bullying in sports

Child Friendly School: a protective environment for children Children like school and feel happy there Sanitary, safe environment Relevant policies in place Children’s learning and social needs are met UNICEF

19 THANK YOU