Beyond the Classroom: Gabonese Students Learn Rights and Justice in Juvenile Court Visit

In a powerful move to translate civic theory into tangible reality, students from the Les Bleuets du littoral school complex in Port-Gentil, Gabon, were granted an unprecedented look into the justice system during a special event for World Children’s Day. The educational visit to the Port-Gentil Court of First Instance, as reported by the Gabonese Press Agency, provided a rare, real-world context for children to understand their legal rights and the judicial procedures designed to protect them.

A Magistrate’s Lesson in Law and Protection

Welcomed by the president of the juvenile court, Magistrate Gretta Mara Abyla, the students received a direct briefing on the legal framework surrounding minors. “Children have rights that must be respected, and every adult plays a role in their protection,” she stated, grounding the day’s activities in a core principle of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Magistrate Abyla clarified that in Gabon, this specific legal protection extends to every individual up to the age of 17. This direct engagement with a senior judicial figure demystified the court system, transforming it from an abstract authority into a functional institution with a defined mandate to safeguard the young.

Simulated Hearings and Sobering Realities

The core of the visit involved a simulated court hearing, an immersive exercise that brought legal concepts to life. By observing a reenactment of judicial proceedings, the students gained insight into courtroom dynamics, the roles of different officials, and the formal process of justice.

This simulation also introduced them to the concept of criminal responsibility—a topic that left a clear impression. “I learned that a child can be imprisoned from age 13, but not before,” explained 9-year-old Kogou Melizou Edia Joli, highlighting how the experience clarified the boundaries of legal consequences for minors.

Another student, Abra Manan, demonstrated a grasp of the international scope of children’s rights, noting, “every country that signed the International Convention must apply these rights.” This comment underscores the visit’s success in connecting local law to global commitments.

Civic Education in Action: Building a More Informed Generation

For the school’s director, Ogadanga Françoise, the initiative was a strategic investment in civic education. “The students were enlightened about their rights and duties,” she said, expressing a hope to expand the program to other classes in the coming years.

This approach represents a progressive model of learning that moves beyond textbooks. By placing students directly within the halls of justice, the program fosters a more profound and lasting understanding of their role in society, both as protected individuals and as future citizens with responsibilities.

Such initiatives are crucial for building foundational trust in public institutions and empowering the next generation with the knowledge to navigate and uphold the law.

Source: This report is based on original coverage from the Gabonese Press Agency (AGP).