“Children’s Rights course to be implemented into curriculum”

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Education Academician Assist. Prof. Dr. Kezban Özgem emphasized the importance of including the children's rights course in the curriculum and said, "Hence, every child will be able to learn and defend their rights."
Speaking on the occasion of World Children's Rights Day, Özgem stated that children face problems such as poverty, inequality, abuse, hunger and war. She stated that raising awareness on this issue and encouraging children to recognize and defend their fundamental rights is the responsibility of every individual. 
Özgem stated that studies on compulsory education policies, health services and mechanisms to provide protection against abuse are continuing in North Cyprus, and that in addition to these efforts, children's rights courses should be added to the curriculum, laws should be brought in line with international standards and deterrent penalties should justify the imposition of punishment. 
Özgem stated that the appointment of an independent Children's Rights Ombudsman would accelerate legal processes and drew attention to the importance of providing inclusive educational environments for children with disabilities and ensuring that children benefit from psychosocial support programs.
Özgem said that it is important to allocate sufficient budget to schools within the state system in the context of equality in education, and added, "In addition, equality and inclusiveness should be ensured in education by providing suitable environments for children with disabilities."
Özgem said that the psychosocial development of a child is as important as the physical development, and added, "In this context, health services should be supported by psychological support programs for children."
Özgem emphasized that protecting children's rights is not only the responsibility of the state but also of every individual.