Children Assembly: Kids lament state of education in rural areas
Want emphasis on girls’ education, improved facilities.
The first-ever Children Assembly was held on Saturday at the Convention Centre. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
Over 250 children from underprivileged areas of the country urged the government to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of five and 16, placing special emphasis on girls’ education.
They were speaking at the first-ever Children Assembly, which was held on Saturday at the Convention Centre and was organised by ‘We Can End All Violence Against Women’ and Oxfam.
The confidence level of the participants, who were between 12 and 16 years of age, was worth noting and they were well-aware of issues in their areas and came up with good suggestions.
They expressed concern over the pathetic condition of government schools in rural areas and urged the government to increase the education budget to four per cent of GDP. They also said that the funds allocated for education should be utilised properly and transparently.
Problems
Children said that in most rural areas there are no schools and they must travel great distances to attend schools. There is no pick-drop facility available and they must rely on bicycles or public transport, which many cannot afford.
For girls, it is one of the major hurdles in getting an education.
“I am thinking of quitting my studies because I cannot afford to pay Rs40 every day for public transport and my monthly school fee which is Rs 20,” said Fatima, 12, a resident of Sardargarh in Rahim Yar Khan who aspires to become a policewoman.
Fatima said that a majority of girls from her area have quit studies because of poverty and many became victims of child marriages.
Participants said existing government schools are in a pathetic condition, as they lack boundary walls, washrooms, access to clean drinking water, electricity or even proper seating arrangements.
Suggestions
The government, civil society and media should run awareness campaigns on the importance of education, primary and high schools should be established in all rural areas, pick and drop facility should be provided to the students, secure environment should be ensured, school should have separate washrooms, access to clean drinking water, electricity and proper seating arrangements.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2013.
Over 250 children from underprivileged areas of the country urged the government to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of five and 16, placing special emphasis on girls’ education.
They were speaking at the first-ever Children Assembly, which was held on Saturday at the Convention Centre and was organised by ‘We Can End All Violence Against Women’ and Oxfam.
The confidence level of the participants, who were between 12 and 16 years of age, was worth noting and they were well-aware of issues in their areas and came up with good suggestions.
They expressed concern over the pathetic condition of government schools in rural areas and urged the government to increase the education budget to four per cent of GDP. They also said that the funds allocated for education should be utilised properly and transparently.
Problems
Children said that in most rural areas there are no schools and they must travel great distances to attend schools. There is no pick-drop facility available and they must rely on bicycles or public transport, which many cannot afford.
For girls, it is one of the major hurdles in getting an education.
“I am thinking of quitting my studies because I cannot afford to pay Rs40 every day for public transport and my monthly school fee which is Rs 20,” said Fatima, 12, a resident of Sardargarh in Rahim Yar Khan who aspires to become a policewoman.
Fatima said that a majority of girls from her area have quit studies because of poverty and many became victims of child marriages.
Participants said existing government schools are in a pathetic condition, as they lack boundary walls, washrooms, access to clean drinking water, electricity or even proper seating arrangements.
Suggestions
The government, civil society and media should run awareness campaigns on the importance of education, primary and high schools should be established in all rural areas, pick and drop facility should be provided to the students, secure environment should be ensured, school should have separate washrooms, access to clean drinking water, electricity and proper seating arrangements.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2013.