DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION Challenges ? There is no clean and safe water in Chipinge. ? The toilets are dilapidated which poses risk to children's health. Recommendations ? The government should provide more doctors and nurses in Chipinge area as well as improving the standards of hospitals and clinics. ? The government and other organizations that deal with water and sanitation issues should ensure the provision of clean and safe water. EDUCATION Challenges ··“When parents are unable to educate all the children due to financial constraints, girls are often kept at home and the pattern has been consistently higher male than female enrolment in schools.” ? The introduction of school fees in foreign currency has affected many children. ? School children in Chipinge do not have computers and they do not learn science and practical subjects. Recommendations ? All children, whether boys or girls, should be treated equally. ? Government should introduce computers, science and practical subjects in rural schools. ? Primary education should be free and BEAM should be resurrected. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Challenges ? Corporal punishment is degrading, brutal and cruel and most children are against its use in schools and homes. ? Teachers beat school children when they come late or where they do not have uniforms. Recommendations ? There must be laws guiding corporal punishment so that it will not develop into child abuse. ? Headmasters only must be responsible for corporal punishment. ? Teachers must not beat children using their bare hands. ? School authorities should restrict excessive discipline by teachers. CHILD ABUSE Challenges ? The community is not reporting cases of child abuse since the abusers would be their relatives. ··“Adults in the area are raping children as they believe this will cleanse their HIV and AIDS condition.” CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 41