UNICEF recognises five schools of the Marist Province of Iberica as leaders in Child Rights

Five Marist schools of the Province of Iberica have been recognised by UNICEF as Benchmark Centres in Education for Child Rights and Global Citizenship. In this year’s round, the fourth, UNICEF Spain has awarded such recognition to 149 public, private and state-subsidised schools throughout Spain. These join those already certified in previous rounds, making a total of 186 centres.

This means that almost 100,000 students in infant, primary and secondary education attend schools every day where Child rights are known, promoted and defended, and which have made the Convention on the Rights of the Child the basis of their educational project.

Five of these schools belong to the Marist Province of Iberica: Champagnat School in Guadalajara (which has improved its status, moving up from the initial to the advanced level), Santa María la Real School in Sarriguren, Navarre (which has achieved recognition at an advanced level at its first attempt); and Maristak Durango (Bizkaia), Santa Maria Maristas de Villalba (Madrid) and Our Lady of Guadalupe de Navalmoral (Caceres), which have achieved the initial level in this round.

Other Marist schools were recognised as “Benchmark Centres”. In Catalonia, 9 schools and 12 in the Province of Compostela.

Benchmark Centres in Education for Child Rights and Global Citizenship

The programme establishes three status levels (initial, advanced and excellent) depending on the degree of incorporation of the Convention that they have achieved. Each school is accompanied throughout the process by a UNICEF Child Rights Education advisor, who provides information and tools to schools according to their needs. This recognition remains valid for two academic years. 

In this programme, UNICEF offers training in Child Rights and Global Citizenship to the teaching staff at educational centres and encourages the development of procedures for the greater participation of young people in the life of the schools. The programme also promotes the creation of an environment for the protection and well-being of students and an improvement in the school climate through mutual respect and relationships within the educational community.

To know more.