Current statistics regarding the health and wellbeing of Pakistan’s children are abominable. PHOTO: FILE
True, promises have been made and articles have been passed, such as Article 25 of the Constitution, envisaging the right to free and compulsory education. However, in practice, children are still seen on the streets during school hours labouring away to earn their daily meals. Whereas the children’s wills are there to attend school and become educated, the government’s will is lacking. Children are not being given the facilities and resources they need to transform their lives. Taking this into account, there are several areas that require increased budget allocations. Primarily, education development needs vast attention and financial resources. In this area, all citizens of the country are stakeholders, for an educated people contribute positively to the collective wellbeing of the country.
As imperative as education aid is increased allocation to the health sector, specifically to address the high incidence of infant mortality. Current statistics regarding the health and wellbeing of Pakistan’s children are abominable. Immediate attention and budget increases in these areas must be implemented now before conditions deteriorate further.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2013.
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In a civilized set up, children are taken as normal human beings only with less experience in life. But they are allowed to have a different opinion and tell it to their parents without fear. That is not the case in majority of the cases in Pakistan. They are reprimanded when they express their views. I remember as a child had to keep my mouth shut when we were at the dinner table, as the elders initiated and discussed things. I was allowed to say: Yes, you are right my 'führer` One of the after effects of this tarbiat is that we love dictators, as they remind us of our parents who did whatever they found fit, without consultation and agreement collectively. It was big shock when I saw growing up kids in Europe disagreeing with parents and sometimes raising their voices to prove their point of view.