The Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations for Child Protection – KOMF, which represents 35 non-governmental organizations, expresses concern about the video footage published regarding the approach and treatment of educators towards a 3-year-old child at the “Gëzimi ynë” kindergarten in Fushë Kosovë.

Moments of feeding, rest, sleep, or other activities and games are of an educational and recreational nature. Therefore, any inappropriate, hostile, or violent approach used by educators force a child to perform these activities through pressure, pulling, dragging, verbal or physical violence constitutes a serious violation that harms all areas of the child’s development.

What do children need?

The most basic need of a child is the love and care of parents, educators, and all those around them. Children need love, to be hugged, looked in the eyes, called by their names, praised, and to laugh together with them. This is the foundation of a secure and healthy emotional bond with the child.

Children need to feel safe and protected both physically and emotionally in every environment we provide for them.

Children need emotional help and support to understand and cope with their emotions and challenges. They need to be helped to develop their full potential by fostering self-reliance, self-confidence, self-esteem, cognitive and perceptual abilities, including self-awareness.

In Kosovo, all forms of violence, including physical violence, psychological violence, and neglect, are prohibited by the Law on the Protection of Children and other relevant legislation.

In light of this serious event, KOMF calls on responsible institutions to immediately take the necessary actions and measures in accordance with the current legislation in order to fulfill their mandate.

KOMF calls for the intensification of systematic monitoring and inspection of kindergartens by inspectors and consultations with parents in order to prevent such cases.

KOMF reiterates once again that kindergartens should have specific policies or regulations for the protection of children with the aim of establishing an internal system that prevents and responds to violations of children’s rights.

We have a collective responsibility to ensure that our children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, where their fundamental rights are protected and form the foundation of societal development.