Swedish Ambassador speaks out on Corporal Punishments when opening classrooms on Pemba, Zanzibar

On 17 April 2009 the Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström visited Pemba to participate in the opening of new class rooms. In a statement the Ambassador focused on three key messages, including corporal punishment in schools. The press release below was released.

PRESS RELEASE, 17 April 2009

The Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström on Friday 17 April 2009 visited Pemba to participate in the opening of new class rooms, together with the Minister of Education and the President of Zanzibar. In his statement he focused on three issues; the right of girls to education, corporal punishment and increased transparency in the society.

- I want to strongly emphasise the importance of girls’ education. We all know that education particularly of girls is the best possible investment a country can make for its development. It is evident that there are fewer girls in education. Worse still, they spend less time in education system, which has a negative consequence on their learning outcomes. I urge all of the stakeholders present here today to please secure the right to education for all girls in Zanzibar, said Ambassador Staffan Herrström.

- I would like to challenge the Minister of Education to continue to show leadership and spearheading new policies and thus to abolish all forms of corporal punishment in schools. The issue of corporal punishment is close to my heart and the challenge of violence against children so disturbing. I have talked and listened to many girls and boys in Tanzania. Through these meetings I have been strengthened in my conviction that the right way to fulfil the commitment against violence in the Rights of the child convention is to abolish all forms of corporal punishment in all schools, said Ambassador Staffan Herrström.

- Sweden support the education sector on Zanzibar i.a. through the Zanzibar Education Development Programme (ZEDP). In taking this work further it will be important to develop a transparent monitoring mechanism that can ensure that funds are used for the intended purposes. I think that transparency is crucial for you – all citizens of Tanzania. Make transparency the rule and secrecy the rare exception! That improves governance. That improves the control of taxpayer’s money. That improves the possibility for free and independent media to check people in power. That improves the fight against corruption. It is possible to have that kind of law, it is possible to implement it and it is in the long term interest for everyone, said Ambassador Staffan Herrström.

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