Children knock at doors of lawmakers in India
New Delhi: The representatives of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) and National Coalition for Education (NCE) along with more than 100 ex-child labourers knocked the doors of more than 50 members of parliament (MPs) in New Delhi well before they could move to Parliament.
The children knocked their doors to remind them about government’s promises made at Dakar regarding education for all. They submitted their charter of demand addressed to Prime Minister of India demanding 6% of GDP spending on education. (To read OWSA story on state of education in India, please click here.) Children further demanded enforcement of the right to education with redressal system, for those children who were being excluded from the mainstream of education. As also common school system, making laws child-friendly, regulation of private school system, and compliance of Millennium Development Goals were the main issues in the charter of demands. When children in organised groups of 10-15 started knocking doors of Parliamentarians early in the morning it was a great surprise for them. Some MPs welcomed them wholeheartedly and offered money for their breakfast. However some were also trying to shirk from talking and facing the children. But almost all the MPs assured children of their fullest cooperation. Abdullah Kutti from Kannor constituency became emotional talking to children and assured his full support in raising questions for bringing out law for making education a fundamental right. He also opined that education would bring out many positive changes in the country like land reforms and decentralisation of power. Former MP Karnendu Bhattacharya assured the children of taking this agenda forward with the help of his colleagues and party fellows. Beerbhadra Paswan (Nawadah, Bihar), Vishnudeo Sai (Raipur, Chhattisgarh) gave their full support and assured that they would like to remain supporters of children’s move and right to education in future. However an MP from Vardhman, Nikhilanand clarified his position and showed his disagreement from Right to Education act. He said: “I don’t support this idea and it is not the duty of Government. The country is too big it will take time.” Rama Kant Rai, Convener of National Coalition for Education (NCE) said that some of the parliamentarians were still thinking within the confines of party, caste, region and religion. However, most of the parliamentarians were in support of the movement. Rai further added: “NCE, with the help of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, teachers’ union and parliamentary forum on education will keep this movement as top priority in the forthcoming general election. Rai was optimistic that the bill on right to education would be tabled in the current session. International organisations like Care India, Save the Children Fund, Mukti Ashram, Global March Against Child Labour, Bal Ashram, Bal Vikas Dhara, Save the Childhood Foundation, etc. supported and participated in The Global Action week, which was observed in 12 states and Union Territories of India. Source: BBA |
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