ILAM, Feb 22: Ensuring implementation of children's rights in Ilam has proven to be quite challenging. Blatant violation of children's rights can be observed in private and community schools of the district, according to local stakeholders.
The cruel nature of punishments to children still prevalent at schools has drawn criticism from child rights advocates. Local stakeholders voiced a change in teaching methodology through the use of punishments.
Parents said punishments are decreasing in community schools but are still highly prevalent in private ones. Although the government has introduced punishment-free education policy, its proper implementation is still a far cry.
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Children are given harsh punishments, such as being beaten in hands and legs with batons, and other forms of torture, in schools. They are yet to find terror-free education system in schools.
Local stakeholders said school administrations are more concerned about politics than child rights. They said it has negatively hampered improvement in the education system.
Ganesh Prasad Baral, chief of District Coordinator Committee of Ilam, said he has found that many schools are yet to switch away from traditional method of teaching via fear and punishment.
“It is a high time that teachers of private and community schools should be made aware about proper teaching methodology without punishing children. They have to focus on children's education in creative ways without punishments,” said Baral.
According to Saraswati Rai, vice-chairperson of Fakphokthum Rural Municipality, the condition of rural children is worse compared to those of urban areas. She said rural communities lack awareness about many aspects of children's rights.
“People in rural communities are not even aware that children need to be sent to school. There is an urgent need to make both the parents and teachers aware about child rights,” she said.
