DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: WATER, SANITATION AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Challenges ? Most areas in Harare go without water for long periods. ? The toilets are always blocked which causes diseases like cholera which unnecessarily killed thousands of people, including children, in 2008. Recommendations ? City council should be accountable to residents. The residents must also make the council accountable. ·“Council is responsible for the sewer tanks but the community people must complain.” ? Authorities must ensure that their area is clean so that children's right to live in a health hazard-free environment is upheld. The city council must ensure that sewer pipe bursts are attended to in time before they become a health hazard. HEALTH Challenges ? Some parents fail to immunize their children because of religious beliefs. Recommendations ? Parents must be held accountable for declining to vaccinate their children on religious grounds. EDUCATION Challenges ? Schools are charging high school and examination fees, levies and incentives which affect mostly the orphans and vulnerable children. ? Children do not like being taught in languages that they do not understand. ? Teachers always go on strike because of low salary and other unbearable working conditions. ? Schools are not well equipped, which prejudice the disabled as well. Learning resources such as books are also in short supply. Recommendations ? Primary education should be free so that every child benefits. Where fees are charged they should be affordable to everyone or BEAM (Basic Education Assistance Module) should then help all children who cannot afford them. ? Students should be allowed to be taught in languages of their choice and local languages such as Shona, Ndebele and Tonga should be taught across the country. ? The government should adequately remunerate teachers to avoid strikes which disrupt children's education. ? Schools should be well-equipped “every school should have a library…” ? The government should ensure that all children to access their right to education. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Challenges ? Children are being beaten up for minor mistakes. Recommendations ? Corporal punishment “does not serve any purpose.” ? Schools should be places enjoyed by children hence teachers should teach children instead of beating them. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 6