DHENKANAL: Activists and parents have alleged that the students in schools across the district are deprived of their Right to Participation, as drafted by the United Nations.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (United Nations, 1989) provides elaborate catalogue of children’s rights that can be grouped into four categories: Right to Survival, Right to Protection, Right to Participation and Right to Development.
Article 12 of the Convention states that children have the right to participate in decision-making processes that may be relevant in their lives and influence decisions taken within their sphere __ family, school or community.
According to sources, as many as 1.20 lakh children are studying in more than 1,700 schools in the district. The activists allege that the children are subjected to corporal punishment on committing mistakes.
“Most of the schools do not have Idea Boxes for children to give feedback on their likes or dislikes about the teaching method, mid-day meals or attitude of teachers. They are unable to speak their minds or share ideas with teachers. They are always compelled to follow the instructions of teachers and headmaster,” parents claimed.
Negligence in teaching has been reported from schools in Kankadahada, Hindol, Parjang and Gondia where apparently most of the students are promoted to the next class by teachers, even after not being able to secure 30 per cent marks.
Meanwhile, District Child Welfare Committee chairman Antarjami Rath claimed that the teachers are over-burdened with non-teaching works in the district. “They are unable to facilitate the atmosphere needed to ensure a child’s right to participation in learning and extracurricular activities in government schools,” Rath said.
In such a scenario, district child protection officer Anuradha Goswami sounded optimistic. Goswami insisted that his team was trying hard to promote awareness about Right to Participation among school teachers and headmasters.