Rights, Responsibilities and Needs
Primary 4 · English
Rights, Responsibilities and Needs
Lesson 1 of 4
40 min
There is a new poster in Uwase's classroom. It says: Every child has the right to learn. Every child has the responsibility to let others learn.
“What is a right?” asks Uwase. “And what is a responsibility?” Today you will find out, and you will learn how to talk about both.
This text is adapted from the Simple English Wikipedia article Children's rights.
Everyone has human rights. Children have them too. Children are still growing, so they also have special rights. We call them children's rights. Almost every country in the world, Rwanda too, has promised to keep them.
People often put children's rights into three groups, called the “three Ps”.
Provision means giving children what they need to live well: healthy food, clean water, a home, a warm bed, health care, school, and time to play.
Protection means keeping children safe. Nobody may hurt a child, leave a child without care, make a child do heavy work, or treat a child unfairly.
Participation means taking part. Children can say what they think. They can join clubs and activities, and they can help to make decisions about things that affect them.
Why do children have special rights?
Because they are still growing.
Which of the “three Ps” is about keeping children safe?
Protection.
Give one example of participation at your school.
Example: voting for class monitors, or joining the school environment club.
A right is something every child should have. A responsibility is something you should do, so that everyone can enjoy their rights.
| I have the right to … | So it is my responsibility to … |
|---|---|
| learn | come to school on time, do my homework and let others learn |
| be safe | never hurt anyone, and tell an adult when someone is in danger |
| be heard | listen when other people speak |
| be healthy | wash my hands, eat good food and keep clean |
| play | play fairly and share with others |
| a clean environment | put rubbish in the bin and take part in umuganda with my family |
Mugisha: Teacher, Gatete is talking all the time. I can't hear you!
Teacher Habimana: Gatete, every child in this class has the right to learn. What is your responsibility?
Gatete: I should be quiet and let others learn. I'm sorry, Mugisha.
Speak: With a group, choose three rights from the table. For each one, say a matching responsibility: We have the right to … , so we should … .
Write a class charter: three rights and three responsibilities, in full sentences. Decorate it and put it on the wall.
Tip
A right is what you get; a responsibility is what you give. You get the right to learn, and you give others a quiet class to learn in.
Write your answers in your exercise book, then check.
Complete: Every child has the right ___ play.
Answer: to
Which of the three Ps is about school, food and health care?
Answer: Provision
Write a responsibility that goes with the right to be heard.
Answer: Example: I should listen when other people speak.
Correct the mistake: Children has the right to be safe.
Answer: Children have the right to be safe.
Is this a right or a responsibility: putting rubbish in the bin?
Answer: a responsibility (something you do for everyone)
What you learned today
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
Match each of the three Ps to what it means.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
