Child safety requires full protection of all child rights

A rights-centric school is not simply one that teaches about rights—it lives them years. They are not neutral spaces—they shape not only knowledge but identity, agency, values, and world-views. That's why schools must go beyond simply delivering the curriculum or ensuring enrolment. They must become rights-upholding institutions, where every aspect of schooling is informed by the dignity, agency, and evolving capacities of the child.

- By Dileepa Manawadu

Currently, however, most schools in Sri Lanka violate multiple aspects of children’s rights structurally, culturally, and pedagogically.

In the long term, we absolutely need mechanisms to counter group interests that subjugate children’s basic rights. This includes ensuring that children themselves are educated about their rights under the UNCRC which is an obligation under the Convention. Shockingly, this vital aspect was missing from the Dr. Gamage’s recommendations, which emphasised educating parents on their rights, but did not extend the same to children.

Sri Lanka ratified the UNCRC 34 years ago, and yet we have still failed to incorporate education on children’s rights into the school curriculum and teacher training programs. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is, even now, reportedly “talking with the NIE”—an indefensible delay for such a critical obligation.

1. Violations of bodily autonomy and safety

■ Corporal punishment remains widespread, despite legal prohibitions, education ministry circulars, and research showing its long-term harm.

■ Children are subjected to humiliation, verbal abuse, and public shaming under the guise of discipline or performance motivation.

■ Girls, in particular, face body policing-uniform checks, menstrual taboos, hair rules-reinforcing shame rather than respect for bodily autonomy.

This contravenes Article 19 of the UNCRC, which guarantees protection from all forms of physical or mental violence, and Article 16, which protects privacy and personal dignity.

2.Lack of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

Despite national commitments and global evidence of its importance, CSE is almost entirely absent or watered down in the Sri Lankan school system. Where mentioned, it is often framed with moralistic or fear-based narratives.

As a result: