The Committee holds two ordinary sessions each year. The duration of the session varies in each case from 10 to 15 days depending on needs and finance. The Secretary of the African Commission must communicate to the members the date and venue of the ordinary session at least 60 days ahead of the session.

The Day of the African Child (DAC) was instituted in 1991 by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU in memory of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa. At that time, students marched protesting the poor-quality education they received and demanding to be taught in their languages. During the protest hundreds of school children were killed. The Day of the African Child is celebrated to commemorate these children and the brave action they took to defend their rights.