DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION Challenges ? Children are not being immunised. ? There are no adequate facilities to treat children in hospitals. Children are drinking unsafe water as there are no protected water sources. “At Njerama people drink unsafe water, others washing and others drinking.” Recommendations ? All children must be immunized and the law must make it compulsory. ? At least every village and school should have a borehole. ? Toilets should be constructed both in public places and at homes. ? Government should offer adequate health facilities for children to be treated. ? All children should have access to free healthcare. ? Children must be educated on health issues. SHELTER Challenges ? Some children are living in shacks unfit for human habitation. Some do not even have somewhere to stay as they are orphans with no adult looking after them. Recommendations ? Measures should be put in place for children without shelter to be taken care of at local levels in their communities. EDUCATION Challenges ? Most children are having difficulties in paying school fees and are not being allowed to attend classes. ? Stationery and uniforms are expensive. ? Some children attend school the whole year but fail to register for examinations as the ZIMSEC fees are not affordable to the rural students. ? Schools, especially secondary schools, are far. ? Teachers are not being paid adequately resulting in frequent strikes “How can teachers teach when they are hungry?” Recommendations ? Primary education should be free so that every child is at least able to read and write. ? Examination fees should be reduced for all children to be able to write examinations. ? Government should improve staff welfare by increasing their earnings to curb strikes. ? More schools should be constructed and be supplied with books and learning material so that the learning standards in rural areas are improved. Computers should be available to children so that they learn ICT. ? The Social Services department should provide school fees for children who cannot afford. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 38