Category child rights

 Based on a latest news published on Feburary 8, 2024 by Gorkhapatra Daily Newspaper माघ २५, २०८० गाेरखापत्र

 08/02/2024 (२५ माघ २०८०, बिहिबार) by Radhakrishna Dumre राधाकृष्ण डुम्रे

This news and there are several news gives hints that the public school must think, plan and act quickly.

Why can’t school manage to have a hostel partnering with parents. Partnering means, at least they as a parents provide monthly fee based on their social status. So that school could manage a place for the student. किन विद्यालयले अभिभावकसँग साझेदारीमा सही व्यवस्थापन गर्न सक्दैनन् ? साझेदारीको अर्थ, कम्तिमा अभिभावकको रूपमा उनीहरूले आफ्नो सामाजिक स्थितिको आधारमा मासिक शुल्क प्रदान गर्छन्। जसले गर्दा विद्यालयले विद्यार्थीका लागि ठाउँ व्यवस्थापन गर्न सकोस् ।

स्याङ्जाको गल्याङ नगरपालिका–९, कालीगण्डकी नजिकै रहेको माझी बस्तीका बालबालिका विद्यालय जाँदैनन् । विद्यालय जान उनीहरूलाई अभिभावकले प्रेरित पनि गर्दैनन् । यसको एउटै कारण हो घर नजिकै विद्यालय नहुनु ।

Children of Majhi or Fisherman community near Kaligandaki, Galyang Municipality-9, Syangja do not go to school. Parents do not encourage them to go to school. The only reason for this is that there is no school near the house.

छिमेकी गाउँका बालबालिका विद्यालय गइरहँदा यो गाउँका बालबालिकाका हरेक दिन मनोरञ्जन र खेलमा रमाएर बित्ने गरेको छ । विद्यालयको मुख देख्न नपाउनुमा गाउँमा विद्यालय नहुनु हो । उनीहरूलाई पढ्नका लागि कालीगण्डकी नदी तरेर अर्को प्रदेशमा जानुपर्ने बाध्यता छ । यही बाध्यताका कारण अभिभावक आफ्ना बालबालिकालाई पढ्न पठाउँदैनन् । 

While the children of neighboring villages go to school, the children of this village spend their days enjoying entertainment and games. If you can’t see the face of the school, there is no school in the village. They have to cross the Kaligandaki river to go to another province to study. Because of this compulsion, parents do not send their children to study.

स्थानीय श्यामबहादुर माझीले भन्नुभयो, “बस्ती नजिक स्कुल छैन । टाढाको स्कुल पठाउन सकिएन ।” उहाँले गाउँका बालबालिकालाई पढ्नु पर्छ भन्ने सामान्य जानकारी पनि छैन । माझी बस्तीमा १७ घरपरिवार छन् । उनीहरूका १९ जना बालबालिका विद्यालयको पहुँचबाट टाढा छन् । केही बालबालिका भने पढ्नका लागि छिमेकी जिल्ला पाल्पा पुग्ने गरेको स्थानीयको भनाइ छ । पढ्न गएकाहरू पनि तह अनुसारको पढ्ने उमेर नाघेका छन् ।  

Local Shyam Bahadur Majhi said, “There is no school near the settlement. Couldn’t send him to a distant school.” It is not even common knowledge that he should read to the children of the village. There are 17 households in Majhi Basti. 19 of their children are out of reach of school. Locals say that some children go to neighboring district Palpa to study. Even those who went to study have exceeded the reading age according to the level.

माझी समुदायका अधिकांश मानिस पढ्न र लेख्न जान्दैनन् । स्थानीय दिलकुमारी माझीले गाउँमा विद्यालय नभएका कारण आफूहरू शिक्षाबाट वञ्चित हुनुपरेको गुनासो गर्नुभयो । उहाँले विद्यालय नभएका कारण आफूहरू अन्य गाउँको तुलनामा हरेक हिसाबले पछिपरेको बताउनुभयो । उहाँले छोराछोरीलाई विद्यालय पठाउन सहज हुने खालको सचेतना आफ्नो बस्तीमा आवश्यक रहेको बताउँदै भन्नुभयो, “छोराछोरीलाई पाल्पा पठाउन कुनै अप्ठ्यारो थिएन तर यहाँको संस्कार नै यस्तै बनेको छ । छोराछोरी पढाउन एकल प्रयासले हुने अवस्था नै छैन ।” 

Most of the people of the Majhi community do not know how to read and write. Local Dilkumari Majhi complained that they were deprived of education because there was no school in the village. He said that because there is no school, they are behind in every way compared to other villages. He said that there is a need for awareness in his settlement to make it easy for children to go to school and said, “There was no difficulty in sending children to nursery school, but the culture here has become like this.” It is not a situation to educate children with a single effort.

गल्याङ नगरपालिकाले भने माझी समुदायका बालबालिकालाई पढ्ने व्यवस्था गरिएको दाबी गरेको छ । नगरपालिकाका वडा नं. ९ का अध्यक्ष नामदेव खनालले माझी बस्तीबाट आधा घण्टाको दुरीमा विद्यालय रहे पनि विद्यार्थी आफैँ अनुपस्थित रहेको दाबी गर्दै भन्नुभयो, “बालबालिकालाई शिक्षामा अगाडि ल्याउन र विद्यालय जाने वातावरण बनाउन पहल जारी छ ।” 

Galyang Municipality has claimed that provision has been made for the children of the Majhi community to study. Municipal Ward No. Namdev Khanal, the president of 9, claimed that although the school is half an hour away from Majhi Basti, the students themselves are absent and said, “Initiatives are ongoing to bring children forward in education and create an environment for going to school.”

शिक्षा विकास तथा समन्वय एकाइ स्याङ्जाका प्रमुख विश्वराज आचार्यले धेरै विद्यार्थी विद्यालय नजाने आफूहरूलाई जानकारी नरहेको भन्दै यसबारेमा आफूले बुझ्ने र समस्या भएको भए समाधानका लागि पहल गर्ने बताउनुभयो । पठित धेरै भएको जिल्लाका रूपमा स्याङ्जालाई लिइन्छ । स्याङ्जालाई २०७१ सालमा पूर्ण साक्षर जिल्ला घोषणा गरिएको थियो । जिल्लाका ८१.७ प्रतिशत नागरिक साक्षर रहेको २०७८ सालको राष्ट्रिय जनगणनाले देखाएको छ । 

Bishwaraj Acharya, Head of Education Development and Coordination Unit Syangja, said that they do not know that many students do not go to school and said that they understand this and if there is a problem, they will take steps to solve it. Syangja is considered as the most literate district. Syangja was declared fully literate district in 2071. The national census of 2078 has shown that 81.7 percent of the citizens of the district are literate.

In the social work sector, during training or interactive events, the event management team or NGOs strive to understand the reasons behind advocating and taking a stand against child marriage.

In October 2022, a representative from Console Mission attended an event hosted by a coalition of NGOs dedicated to eradicating child marriage in Nepal. During an introductory session, the director divided the attendees, asking those married before the age of 18 or related to someone who was to move to the right side, and all others to the left. The exercise aimed to identify victims of child marriage. Surprisingly, more than half belonged to neither category, and while some knew of such cases, no direct victims were present. Locating a victim is feasible, yet it requires public outcry. Nonetheless, questioning the effectiveness or deeming efforts to halt child marriage as futile is not constructive.

Our research indicates that three out of five individuals marry early and either do not complete their education or stop after grade 10. It is common to find that many parents and their ancestors also married at a young age.

Discussing marriage with teenagers is not a common practice now. However, our colleague, a male, was encouraged by his grandfather at the age of 12 to find a wife. His grandparents had married at the same age without understanding what marriage entailed. Another case involves a woman employed at the Chief District Office in the western part of the country, who was abandoned by her husband after giving birth to a daughter. She was a teenager in love. Similarly, her daughter and her niece also married as teenagers and did not finish their schooling.

Many of our parents, and their parents before them, married before the age of 18, some even before 16, and often had children within a year of marriage. This practice continues today. Last June and July, three 14-year-old girls associated with Console Mission were married. Today, Console Mission learned that one girl, Sumitra, and her husband will soon have a homecoming celebration. They were friends, and after one married, the other two followed. This occurred as Console Mission was transitioning the Our Study Place project to the community. Over the past five years, since 2018, there had been a decline in such cases. The older sisters of these girls, who were students and volunteers at OSP, completed school and were expected to take on their roles. One who had married earlier began her role but then visited Console Mission’s office, possibly hoping to find a place at the Self Managed Home. It wasn’t easy for her to ask, and she may not have shared her situation, especially with her older sister who was planning to attend college after completing her SEE.

Indeed, it’s not just in the past; we are still surrounded by victims.

While marriage might be a means for many teenage girls to support their lives, they often end up as victims. They are expected to give birth, manage household chores, tend to livestock, and work the land to cultivate crops such as maize and green vegetables.ables.

A girl who excelled in the SEE was advised to enroll in a technical course beneficial for her village, known for its milk production from livestock such as buffalo, cows, and goats. However, she married. The Console Mission learned from her husband’s uncle that she was expected to manage the household, livestock, fields, and bear children. Yet, the girl insisted her husband valued education and would support her college attendance.

Before Console Mission initiated Our Study Place, an educational program for children, underage marriages were rampant from 2015 to 2017, with girls under 15 marrying and conceiving.

Console Mission encountered a grade 9 scholarship recipient who married. She claimed she quit school to care for her ill father, but soon after, she fled. Her mother, speaking to Console Mission fearfully, revealed her daughter could have married a year earlier if not for the scholarship. Despite counseling from Console Mission on family planning and sexual health, the young girl faced life-threatening complications during childbirth and was rushed to the hospital.

Another case involved a boy whose mother died during his birth. He never met her and grew up with two older sisters. His father had longed for a son, possibly pushing the mother beyond her physical limits. She married young, had two children, and succumbed to the strain. Teenage years should be for growth and development, but early entry into the reproductive cycle, contrary to medical advice, can lead to both social and physical ailments.

The story unfolds with a boy whose mother passed away during his birth. He never had the opportunity to meet her. He grew up with two older sisters, and a father who longed for a son. Perhaps his mother was physically unable to bear more children. She married young, had two children during her teenage years—a time when individuals should focus on their personal development. Medical science sets guidelines for entering the reproductive cycle, aimed at improving global health. Ignoring these guidelines leads to social and physical disorders that persist over time.

Breaking this cycle is imperative. Without collective support, it is not feasible. Thus, we invite you to join us. Leaving no one behind is crucial, or else our world faces jeopardy. The pandemic has shown us that the suffering of one person, family, or community can have a lasting negative impact worldwide.

Console Mission’s initiative highlights the importance of advocacy for children’s needs and rights. While parents and adults may know the law, the absence of enforcement leads to the continuation of teenage marriages as cultural norms, perpetuating these practices.

A place managed by the Government of Nepal for study.

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” Mahatma Gandhi

Individuals have their own choices. Both old and modern societies have their own cultures and traditions that help them to live their life smoothly. But the fact is that everyone can not stay in one place without going markets, visiting relatives and places like Government offices, hospitals etc.. Interaction is important and happens even if unwanted.

It is parents responsibilities to play a role of mentor to develop mental from early age

Interaction is purposeful therefore it is important that children from early age should get opportunities to develop their mind. And, games like Ludo helps. The other fact about this indoor game is that there are 4-players who plays together. Playing together or doing something together, following rules and accepting lost or appreciating win by other are some of the essentials that this games helps children to develop from their childhood. There are games that is managed at the Study Centre who gets to play in weekend. Such initiation are managed in the rural areas of one district where it is challenging to travel because roads are blocked by landslides.

Games that helps to develop self-attitude like working in team, accepting lost and appreciating win is important

Study Place or Study Centre is a project started since 2018 by participating the members of Console Mission, the individual supporters and the beneficiaries. The main objective of this initiation is that the children who are suffering to do their after school homework and prepare for test/exam because their parents are either busy or illiterate or low educated. To understand the impact, the Intern of Console Mission were sent to the schools and interviewed teachers and found that the children attending Study Place improving and doing well in their studies that is the achievement. Console Mission is looking forward for the opportunity to run this initiation effectively.

On a monthly visit when Bikram visited his contact office he shared about his work.

Particularly, I was interested to know that how long he is going to continue to play a role of guidance to do school homework to the children of his village after her sister started living at school for the preparation of SSE that is more than 2 hours away from her house. Recently their mother left world. When Ram Bahadur (person in his right) instantly informed me I asked that I was unknown about her illness. It happened suddenly, again asking whether it is an accident or police case that have to do something, he said everything was normal. Later I found she had blood pressure. I met Sunita also, she is the eldest daughter who said that she was sick. Daughter knows more than son. Along with them they have one younger sister and a brother too.

In this village this is only the family who does not have their own land. They are taking care of some others property by making a temporary house that was also affected by earthquake in 2015 and then they have been living in a house made of zinc sheet provided by Console Mission. Along with this family their entire village and 5 other neighboring villages received zinc sheet and food supplies.

Sunita who is the elder one and who was recommended by Bikram to provide scholarships (Console Mission actually preferred to say motivational package) instead of him because in 2016 he was planning to work stopping going to school so that there will be supply for his family. His father, according to them, villagers and as seen by myself, is a drunkard and what he earns spends in alcohol.

Since they love their father (Bikram and Sunita), they used to tell that their father is sick and could not work. However, analysing the situation Sunita was granted for the scholarship. She has been doing very well. As she helps to guide children in their study, Console Mission has a good provision for her that she receives extra support so that she could manage her coaching and rent at school where she could use it. When she come in contact she was in grade 8. Now she is preparing for grade 10 exam. There are more girls who are preparing too.

Sunita guiding children of her village in a facility managed with fund collected from Console Mission’s Board Member

Recently she shared that since she is the eldest sister she want to earn and take care of her family. But she was suggested to complete her school. Now as she is away she is worried that since she is not guiding she may not get support. She was suggested to come her village in weekend and take class for two days.

Bikram who had completed grade 8 will remain in village for a month until then Sunita have no problem. But, she will come in weekend to guide as suggested by our Project Executive because since she is studying she is better compare to his brother. The children coming to take help to do their homework and prepare for the test needs good guidance.

Bikram, Sunita and their two young brother and sister is one example that there are children in similar situation where Console Mission is reaching. They do not have a place. They are living in uncertainty. However Console Mission is a hope for them in this situation.

As an elder brother Bikram has been playing his role but then when he told that he is not studying I hesitated and asked the reason. He said that his father is physically unable to work and earn that he is only the one who should handle the responsibilities of earning for the family. And instead he requested support that Sunita could continue. Console Mission is worried that along with her there are other teen who will be away from their house for coaching class provided by their school. Since the month of Poush 2075, they have been staying at school for the preparation of grade 10 exam. Though they are under school premises they have to manage financial resources for room food and coaching. Most of the teacher are from outside of the village who are also residing at school. Anjali who is also one of our children from neighboring village is one of the clever one in this team that as they are far from their parents, they will hopefully be fine. In a recent visit done by our volunteer, they were not allowed to enter the school. They walked a long way to meet and ask some question that they had prepared but they were not allowed. These two were the interns from Internship project. Their purpose was to learn about the action that school takes when children stops coming to school. However they explored that it took them 2 hours to reach the school from the village of Bikram. For Anjali it will take about 3 hours from her village.

What Console Mission could do better has been doing | to manage  a place where children could at least get environment to concentrate in their study without distractions that is usual at their house is one purpose so that the similar grade work together, solve problems | to manage tutor even once a week for all grade is a challenge | at the movement study place is running collection from the Board Member |neighboring 5 villages  are also seeking such facilities | therefore a place enough for at least 42 to 50 children is the need.

Console Mission an indigenous Nepali grassroots NGO is thankful to its friends and well-wishers that without their support, it is unlikely that this could happen.  

A place where children will get help to do homework. And school for those who don’t go to school. Moreover it will be a symbol in the community for the Children Rights to Education. It is linked with the forced marriage, forced for labour and many social causes linked with children especially girls.

But to reach to cover the need we cannot depend only on locals who are a kind of staff. For it’s continuation people from urban area should go there. But since it is a daily task, teaching children, willingness just doesn’t work. Therefore a tutor needs is most. Since it is a valuable task and it should continue the local volunteers needs training.

The higher grade student going in 10, 11 and 12 who are valuable needs to be developed as a team. There are challenges because of the social viewpoints like some should study and some other should work as a slave for someone.

Social system have drawn a line that though legally rubbed it has not affected or changed the society. And in the rural area these situations, if deeply analysed, are the root causes of social situations like human trafficking.

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Since 1998 – 1999 I stayed in a little developmentally better country than Nepal though I was living a westerners or better life in every parts of life. After that for 2000 until 2004 better than that. And after living 5 years in Nepal I went to England from where I returned in January 2013.

“Nepal is a third world country”, “we live in a third world country”. These sentences were hovering in my mind. But yesterday after returning from a small meeting with one person from the U.K. I stopped for air for my motorbike tyre. A boy age below 12 said that it is punctured. He told that it needs to be replaced or if leaked may be maintained. After checking by putting tube in water it was not possible that it could be done without changing tube. So I told to change it. But as this small and other little bigger than him was active in it, I asked the adult that who is this small guy. He said he is the owner. Surprisingly I said really and told even if he should not be doing that. He said he is his brother but that was not true. When these two guys was fitting tube inside and re-joining it into motorbike, I took video because the adult guy was gone somewhere. As I was taking video suddenly third world sentence stroke my mind saying that’s why I am living in a third world country where school is free of cost but children are working as house keeper, waiter in restaurant, taking care of infants, collecting fare in local bus and working in factories and workshops.

This motorbike service shop is located in the market place and Army’s camp is also nearby, no one speaks for other. This is why Nepal is a third world country needs to learn humanity.

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