Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children

Confederation of Arunodhaya children sangam
Call for a
Child friendly Chennai Corporation

Press meet was conducted on 13th of Oct 2011 in Chennai press club by CONFEDERATION OF ARUNODHAYA CHILDREN SANGAMS to place their demand for a ‘Child Friendly Chennai Corporation’ i n the local body elections to be held on 17th October 2011 . About 10 children participated and delivered their demands with the objectives which are as follows:

To ensure children nagar sabha to make the Children’s voice to be heard, listened to and acted upon.
To emphasis the responsibilities of Chennai Corporation towards child rights.

Children are termed as wealth of a nation. But, how far this wealth is respected and promoted is a million dollar question. The future of Chennai Corporation depends on the Children of today. It is of utmost importance that the Children are provided with opportunities to develop into productive citizens. This calls for a Child friendly Chennai corporation that would foster and promote the child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation.

According to the Facts from Unicef report- 2011 Situation of children in India

India contributes to nearly 20 percent of child death in the world
1.83 million children die annually before completing fifth year
54 million children under 5 years are underweight
8 million children in the age group 6-13 out of school
28 million children in the age group 5-14 engaged in work
Child sex ratio is 914

The incidence of child labour, child abuse, and trafficking, corporal punishment is on the increase. To change this present situation and make the State and local level panchayat, municipality and corporation to take responsibility to ensure that our children live in dignity enjoying their basic rights and take care of the children. In this local body election, the children hope that the Chennai Corporation will lead the State by developing itself into a ‘Child friendly Chennai Corporation’ by keeping their demands in forward.

The children put forth their ‘ Dream Chennai ‘ through the demands which is given below:
Children Nagar Sabha

For Children’s voice to be heard, listened to and acted upon, we demand the constitution of ‘Children Nagar sabha’ with the following structure.

Children ward councils should be formed in all the wards with the membership of all children in the age group 8- 18 years.
From the Children ward councils, 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) in the age group 12-18 yrs will be elected in a democratic way to form the Children ward committee.
Children ward council will meet four times in a year ( 24th January (national girl child day), 30th April (anti child labour day), 15th August (Independence day) and 14th November (children’s day)

Note: Incase the days fall on school working day, the meetings will be held on the following holiday.

The Children ward council meetings will be facilitated by the Children Ward committee
The Children ward committee members in a zone will form the children zonal council
From the Children zonal council, 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) will be selected to form the Children zonal committee
Children zonal committee representatives should be invited to the Corporation zonal committee meeting of adults to present their opinions and views.
From each zonal committee, 2 representatives (1 boy and 1 girl) should be elected to form the Corporation Committee. This committee should be invited to the Corporation council meetings.
Chennai corporation should recognize the children nagar sabai and make provisions for its formation and functioning.

Note: Representation should be provided to dalits, tribals, minorities and disabled.

Responsibilities of Chennai Corporation towards children

Chennai Corporation should release an Annual report on the Status of children
A Standing committee should be set up on Child Rights
Children voices should be heard, listened to and acted upon while planning the schemes and programmes of the Corporation
All the schemes and programmes of the Corporation should have an element of assessment of its impact on children
The Chennai Corporation should impress upon the State government to form the State Commission for Protection of children.

Housing and Eviction

Houses with thatched roof should be provided with concrete houses
Families should not be evicted from their place of residence
In case eviction is inevitable for the cause of national interest, the families should be relocated within 3 kms from their present place of residence
Eviction should happen during school holidays
Proper school facilities should be provided in the relocation site

Education

Right to Free and compulsory education act (2009) should be fully implemented in Chennai Corporation
Primary school should be made available within one km radius and for a population of 300
Student council should be formed in all the schools. Representatives of the student’s council should be given membership to the School monitoring committee
Children views and opinions should be taken into consideration and children consulted in the functioning and activities of the school
Adequate number of teachers should be appointed in all the schools
Separate toilet facilities should be provided for girls and boys
All schools should have enough number of class rooms with blackboards, light and ventilation, water facilities and seating arrangements
Classes should be organized to develop the talents of children
Inclusive education should be organized with provision of special teachers to provide education to disabled children
Teachers should be trained on child rights and child participation

School fees

Only the amount prescribed by the government should be collected as fees
Proper receipts should be given for the amount collected
Children should not be forced to collect donation for school programmes and school development

Noon meal

Noon meal should be nutritious and hygienic
Daily schedule of noon meal should be displayed and adhered to

ICDS centres

ICDS centres should be set up for a population of 400-800
Trained teachers should be appointed for the ICDS centres
The centres should have a child friendly atmosphere with play materials and education materials
Nutritious and hygienic food should be given to children

Basic amenities

A minimum of two water pipes should be set up in each street for supplying drinking water
Where there are no pipes two water tanks should be set up
Adequate street lights should be put up and the faults rectified immediately
Garbage should be cleared on a daily basis. Setting up of dumping yard near residential areas should not be allowed
Public toilets should be maintained properly
Roads should be maintained properly. Road should be laid in places where there are no proper roads. Speed breakers and signals should be set up in places prone to accidents.

Primary health centre

Primary health centre should have proper infrastructure and adequate number of staff

Play ground and park

Each area should have a play ground with play equipments
Gym should be established in each area
The schools should promote games and sports activities, identify children with talents and prepare them for state, national and international events.

Library

We need libraries near our house which can be used by children and adults
Library classes should be organized in schools

Finance

The Education tax collected by the Corporation should be fully used for the education purpose
Adequate funds should be set aside for developing talents in sports and games.