DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: “There should be a government school in every 5km radius.” ? Teachers should not strike. ? Schools should be refurbished. ? The Government must build laboratories and provide apparatus for science subjects in rural areas. ? Practical subjects should start at primary level. ? The government should provide bursaries to children without school fees. ? Hot sitting should be stopped. SHELTER Challenges ? Some children are homeless. ? Some child headed families are living in dilapidated houses. Recommendations ? Homeless children should be send to children's homes. ? Social Services department should improve standards of child headed families' houses. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Challenges ? This form of physical abuse and violation of human rights is widely practiced in schools. ? Corporal punishment is being used excessively even for petty issues. ? Sometimes teachers display the instruments such as big sticks they use for corporal punishment. Recommendations ? Teachers should not beat children too hard but make them realize their mistakes. ? Teachers must ask about the situations affecting children before beating them. They should only beat children according to the law. CHILD ABUSE Challenges ? Police are reluctant to protect children. ? Sometimes at school children are forced to go to toilet only at break and lunch time. ? Step parents abuse children. Recommendations ? The police should commit themselves to protecting children. ? Peer educators should regularly visit schools to encourage children to report cases of abuse. CHILD LABOUR Challenges ? At school children are being forced to work for teachers in their houses and gardens. Recommendations ? There must be a policy providing that at school children should only learn and not to do teachers' personal errands. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 34