A PRESS STATEMENT

                                                              PRESS STATEMENT

A STATEMENT BY THE GLOBAL BRIDGE FOR HUMANITY AGAINST THE RECORDING AND CIRCULATION OF VIDEOS ABOUT CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES FOR PUBLIC RIDICULE

 The Global Bridge for Humanity has noted with grave concern a recent development where students/pupils who have difficulties in learning are recorded on camera and a deliberate effort made to circulate the videos on various social media platforms in order to trend. We appreciate the extra efforts teachers make and the frustrations they go through in their effort to educate such students. We would however like to set the following records straight.

First of all, the act amounts to emotional abuse of the children and may have adverse lifelong effects on the victims and even their families.

Also, it is highly unethical to record in any form the weaknesses of students and trending same for public ridicule of the children concerned. This can be equated to a doctor trending the health issues of a patient.

Moreover, the act causes a lot of embarrassment to both the struggling children and their parents. In fact, it has the potential to discourage some parents from keeping those wards in school. It is rather likely to tempt their guardians into withdrawing the wards in question from school and subjecting them to child labour. Late learners may thus be unduly denied the opportunity for higher education.

Again, these acts may develop inferiority complex, depression, low self-esteem, loneliness and introversion among others in the children concerned which may affect them negatively in their adult life long after school.

Also, the act has the potential to tempt pupils into committing suicide in the likely event that they are not able to cope with the public mockery.

Finally, the act is an infringement on the right of the child to self-worth and dignity. This may have some legal implications.

We hereby appeal to all the perpetrators and potential perpetrators to desist from the act and caution the public against the circulation of such videos for the sake of the good of our beloved children.

Thank you.

SIGNED

Emmanuel Anthony Doe

(Executive Director)