DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: SHORTAGE OF FOOD Challenges ? Children walk long distances to school and leave home early in the morning sometimes without eating and will be hungry by the time they get to school. This has resulted in children losing concentration in class. Recommendations ? The government should provide nutritious food at school. HEALTH Challenges ? Children are drinking unclean water from unprotected sources which make them sick. They fail to access health services as the nurses usually work from 8am to 4pm and there will be no one to cater for emergencies at night. ? The hospitals are far and children are dying on their way to the hospital. Recommendations ? Nurses should start work early and knock off late to cater for emergencies especially at night. ? Medicine should be free to children. ? The government should build more hospitals and clinics. ? There should be more health workers. ? The government should drill more boreholes and supply piped water which is clean to drink. EDUCATION Challenges ? Children are failing to concentrate in class after travelling long distances to school as the schools are far away. ? Teacher`s strikes are affecting children`s studies as they are failing to finish the syllabus on time. ? Children are denied access into school premises due to failure by parents to pay school fees, coming to school late, misbehaving at school or not having complete school uniforms. ? The school fees are exorbitant. ? Children without birth certificates are failing to access education. Recommendations ? School buses should be available to carry children to school. ? Schools should not send children home for nonpayment of fees as it is the duty of the parent to do so. ? The schools should promote sporting activities and expand co-curricular subjects. ? Education should be for free to primary school students. ·“Enshrine children`s right to education in the constitution.” 2.11 DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTICIPANTS: LUPANE DISTRICT MATEBELELAND NORTH PROVINCE DANDANDA PRIMARY SCHOOL 24 JUNE 2010 112 CHILDREN (81 GIRLS AND 31 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? Children are failing to get birth certificates due to lack of financial resources by parents. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 28