Paulina Quintao – Some teachers are still using corporal punishment to discipline students while at school, according to the President of the National Commission for the Rights of the Child (CNDL), Commissioner Maria Barreto.
Barreto said some teachers resorted to violence when students made mistakes in class. "The reality shows that children still suffer corporal punishment, sexual violation, and sexual abuse committed by the teachers," she said in an address to National Parliament to mark World Children's Day on 1 June.
She also called for the Ministry of Education to sanction those found to be using violence against students at schools. Despite the ministry announcing a zero-tolerance policy against violence in schools in 2009, Barreto said cases continued to occur.
Meanwhile, she said CNDC was continuing its effort to support and raise awareness among teachers about this issue, adding that all children had the rights to access education without the threat of violence.
Children's Day is celebrated annually around the world to promote children's rights and wellbeing, as well as access to education. This year's celebration focused on ending violence against children.
Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo said children were the future of the country and urged families, schools and wider society not to use violence to educate the children.
"Families, schools, societies and countries have an obligation and responsibility to educate children without violence so that they can become good men and women in the future," he said in a message to mark the celebration.
He also called on teachers to use other methods of discipline, adding that using violence could teach children to be violent in the future. "If you want a bright future, a future without violence, all of us should start now by educating children without violence," said Araujo.
Meanwhile, the President of the Timor-Leste Parliamentary Women's Group (GMPTL), MP Florentina Smith asked the families to pay attention more attention and love their children and stop the cycle of violence around their lives.
"They (children) really need us, especially attention from the family so that they can feel free in this country," she said. She all urged the relevant bodies to promote children's rights and protect them from all forms of violence and harm.