Initiated in 2009 and funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund, the assembly comprises students from different schools who are elected on yearly basis. All 73 members of the DCA are trained on child rights and are given an orientation on how the National Assembly works. These students act as representatives of street children, child labour and orphans in the district.
Apart from the DCA members, members of district line departments and civil society, elders of the area and media representatives also attended the first session of 2014 where eight resolutions were presented.
Eight-point agenda
A member of the assembly, Shahid Taj voiced his concern over the current syllabus in schools calling it “theoretical and not practical. The school syllabus should be designed in a way to encourage creativity and research among students.”
“The issue of street children is getting worse day by day,” said another member, Mohammad Jamil. He raised the point that out-of-school children get involved in street crimes, drugs and start pan-handling. Jamil demanded government and non-government organisations come forward and address the issue.
In a resolution on child protection, DCA deputy speaker Hina Gul said children these days are subjected to extreme physical and psychological punishment in schools, work places and madrassas. “Corporal punishment is common in all our educational institutions which traumatises children forever.”
She added these children, to avoid punishment, leave schools and even their homes, ultimately resorting to petty crimes to survive.
Another assembly member, Lariab Amin, said militancy in Swat and other war-affected areas has orphaned thousands of children. “When these children lose their parents, they fall in the hands of the negative elements in society as they cannot afford to enrol in schools.” She stressed the government should build orphanages where these children are given food, boarding and educational facilities so they are not deprived.
Members also raised points on religious institutions. They said hundreds of madrassas are operating in Swat but without a proper school environment, students in these institutions start feeling a lack of self-worth.
“Along with religious studies, modern education should also be taught in madrassas so students there can play a role in the development of the country,” said Mohammad Awais.
Talking about child labour, members of the DCA stated the issue is one that increases every day with more and more underage children being compelled to work in hotels, workshops, factories and other places. Many of them are employed as conductors in public buses. These children earn meagre pay and are subjected to physical and mental abuse.
DCA member Asghar Ahamd also debated the rights of children with disabilities. For thousands of children with disabilities, there is only one school and that too just at the primary level, he shared.
Another member Marwa Gul stressed on the importance of co-curricular activities which she said are neglected in most schools and considered a “waste of time”.
All eight resolutions were passed in the assembly with demands for the government to resolve the problems immediately.
The education department’s executive district officer praised the children for highlighting the issues and assured that their demands would soon be met.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2014.
COMMENTS (6)
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very great incentive by the People of Swat .Each and every child must participate in such kind of events this will not only increase their knowledge but can also help them to develop their Leadership Qualities.
i m thankfull for the upper cmnts and to the news for raising our voices and raising this issue.as u people can see that we r working hard for the rights of children so we want the gov. to take these issues in notice.thnku .
These children would do a much better job than our designated law makers.........the only problem is that children grow up and become adults.
Although they are children but they are far better than our "capable parlimentarians"..... who are good for nothing.....
Commendable Effort such steps are going to strengthen the Democracy
Makes me so happy to see these children talk about issues that face others less fortunate than them. I so wish that this is a glimpse into the future, a ray of light at the end of the tunnel, and that we would see such meetings of children's representatives in every district of the country within the next 15 years. inshAllah.