Students pour out grievances at child rights meeting in Udupi

The poor condition of roads, lack of toilets were some of the problems highlighted

A student speaking at the meeting in Udupi on Monday.

Issues such as the lack of power supply, roads, and school grounds figured in the meeting on awareness of child rights organised by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights at the Zilla Panchayat Hall here on Monday. Students from schools across the district participated. It accepted petitions with regard to lack of basic facilities.

Speaking at the meeting, Manikanth, a student of MJC School, Manipal, said that there was no toilet in his house in Rahul Nagar and urged the authorities to provide a toilet.

Vanitha Torvi, member, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who chaired the meeting, directed the Executive Officer of Udupi Taluk Panchayat to located Manikanth’s house and take action to provide a toilet there.

Deepak, a Class 8 student from Netaji Nagar, said the road leading to his school was ridden of potholes. While heading to school with his father on a motorcycle, there was always the fear of skidding. Many had fallen from their two-wheelers on this road. Also, there was no proper drainage system near his house nor was therr any ground to play, he stated.

Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, said the matter was related to Badagabettu Gram Panchayat. Land had been reserved here for providing housing sites. A road would be provided to the school under the appropriate government scheme. While providing sites for housing, a portion of land would be kept aside for playgrounds in the area, she said.

Manju and Rukmini, from Bijapur Colony at Saralebettu here, said that there was no power supply in their homes and this affected their studies. An officer said the residents there did not have proper documents. Most were migrant workers and hence power connections could not be provided. Ms. Torvi directed the officers to admit the two girls to the government hostel if their parents permitted.

Teachers should be appointed to schools based on student strength. There should be no shortage of teachers. Efforts should be made to see that no child remained out of school, Ms. Torvi said.

Ida D’Souza, lecturer, Prasanna School of Public Health, delivered a lecture on child rights.