DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: ? Immunisation should be compulsory. ? The right to health must be included in the Constitution. EDUCATION Challenges ? Children can not afford the fees that schools demand. ? Schools do not have adequate teaching and learning resources. ? Teachers are always on strike hence no quality teaching and learning goes on. Recommendations ? There must be free primary education. ? Where school fees are charged they must be reduced to make them affordable to the OVCs. ? The government should provide stationery in schools. ? Teachers must be paid in order to avoid strikes. ? Children's right to education must be enshrined in the constitution. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Challenges ? Teachers are beating children to the extent that they get hurt. Recommendations ? Teachers should be aware that beating up a child does not produce results. ? Children should be encouraged to obey school rules. CHILD ABUSE Challenges ? Children are usually abused by people they know and trust such as parents, teachers and very close relatives. ? Some ill people have a wacky belief that raping children can cleanse them of HIV. ? Some parents who go outside the country to look for greener pastures leave their children in the custody of abusive relatives. Recommendations ? Stiffer laws and punishment should be introduced to deter potential abusers. ? Children should report abuse. ? The Constitution must contain the right of children to be protected from all forms of abuse and exploitation. CHILD LABOUR Challenges ? Some step parents do not consider the capacity of a child to do a task; instead they only want it accomplished. ? Teachers give children a lot of hard work. Recommendations ? Adults should be educated on the effects of child labour on a child. ? The government should assist orphans so that they stay in school. ACCESS TO INFORMATION Challenges ? Children in rural areas are being left out of discussions on issues that affect them because they do not have ready access to the media. Recommendations ? Children need access to televisions, radios, computers and newspapers on a daily basis for them to be involved in issues of national policy. ? There should be a deliberate move to put children in rural areas at par with their urban counterparts. GOVERNANCE Challenges ? Children are oppressed and exploited by political figures. Recommendations ? The constitution must protect children from political exploitation. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 19