DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS 2.12 DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTICIPANTS: CHAPTER 2: LUPANE DISTRICT MATEBELELAND NORTH PROVINCE GOMOZA PRIMARY SCHOOL 24 JUNE 2010 136 CHILDREN (97 GIRLS AND 39 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? Parents cannot afford the costs of travelling to the Registrar General's offices which are too far. Recommendations ? The Registrar General's offices should be located close to the villages so that everyone can have access to getting a birth certificate without incurring some travelling costs. DISCRIMINATION Challenges ? Children are discriminated against on the basis of sex especially on corporal punishment. Recommendations ? Every child should be treated the same regardless of sex, gender and race. SHORTAGE OF FOOD Challenges ? Children are getting hungry at school. Recommendations ? Non-governmental organisations like World Vision should give children porridge and beans at school. HEALTH Challenges ? There is shortage of nurses and doctors in the rural areas. ? Children are travelling long distances to seek medical attention which they will sometimes not get as the doctors will not be available. ? Children are dying after their parents refuse to immunize them because of religious beliefs. Recommendations ? The government should build more hospitals in the rural areas. ? Clinics should have free drugs for children. ? Chiefs in the communities should encourage parents to immunize their children and those who refuse should be arrested. ? There should be home based care in the community. EDUCATION Challenges ? Teachers' strikes are forcing children to have a crush programme resulting in them going to school during holidays when they are supposed to be resting. ? Children born to poor parents are not going to school due to high fees. ? The classrooms have no windows and in winter it will be cold. Recommendations ? Teachers should be paid well so that they teach during the term and allow children to rest during holidays. ? Children failing to pay fees should be considered for BEAM. ? The classrooms need windows so that children will not be cold in winter. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 31