A partnership convention aiming notably at the creation of a regional reception centre for children victims of sexual and physical violence was signed on Tuesday in Kenitra between the Academy of Education and Training of the Gharb-Chrarda-Beni-Hssen region and the "Touche pas à mon enfant" (Don't touch my child) association.

The convention, signed by the director of the academy, Abdellatif Youssoufi, and the president of the association, Najat El Boukari Anwar, focuses notably on the programming of pedagogical activities, education in the culture of human rights, and the creation of a regional reception centre for children victims of violence (sexual and physical), as well as on the means of follow-up, accompaniment, listening, and legal guidance.

By virtue of this agreement, the association commits notably to organising periodic meetings on childhood issues to which the director of the academy, the provincial delegates of the Ministry of Education, and pedagogical actors will be invited, to set up clubs for students in schools and colleges, and to create a periodic pedagogical magazine intended to make known the issues of the child and their rights and to publish creative contributions from students of the region.

For its part, the academy must encourage initiatives for the improvement of the quality of education and training in the region, support the activities of the association, and allow representatives of the association to benefit from training initiated by the academy.

The convention also provides for the establishment of a joint commission for monitoring the planned activities and projects.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Youssoufi estimated that the school is called upon to open up to civil society for the strengthening of the citizen school, proposing the creation of municipal children's councils to educate them in participation and give them the possibility of protecting themselves against dangers.

For her part, Ms Najat Anwar estimated that the signing of this convention constitutes a concretisation of the provisions of the new constitution which makes civil society actors a main partner. The "Touche pas à mon enfant" association, she added, finds difficulties in accessing school establishments, and this convention will allow it to fully play its role of fighting against all forms of child abuse.