Reuters AlertNet Lite - Nearly one thousand Pakistani children rally for education rights during state of emergency

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FROM THE FIELD

Nearly one thousand Pakistani children rally for education rights during state of emergency

26 Nov 2007 13:38:16 GMT
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)

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Participants at the Children's Congress organised by World Vision Pakistan holding the symbolic lights of hope and education. Photo by Wayne Grosser
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org

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Nearly one thousand children from sixteen villages in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) gathered peacefully to rally for the right of education for both boys and girls. 'If you do not take our right for education seriously, we have no future', was the clear message of the children to government officials, parents, teachers, and partnering NGOs.

'This event is unprecedented in rural Pakistan - having so many girls and boys speaking up publicly for their rights for protection and education. It is encouraging to see children empowered to advocate for themselves,' said Graham Strong, National Director for World Vision in Pakistan.

It is estimated that only 46 Percent of the children in Oghi area attend school.

This region of the NWFP is one of the most affected by the October 2005 earthquake. With most of the region's population living in poverty, agriculture and livestock rearing are the main source of income and education is not a priority. Most of the schools in Oghi are still damaged from quake and the children continue to be deprived of their school buildings schools as well as other school supplies such as stationary, and school bags.

The rally took place inside a large tent erected by World Vision Pakistan specifically for the special event in the town of Oghi, a regional capital in the north of the NWFP.

'This congress makes the children feel empowered about their rights', said Abida Bashir, a 10th grade student.

World Vision has been working with the community in Oghi to create and support Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), including encouraging mothers and fathers to be more actively involved in their children's education. Through children's clubs, the children themselves have been learning more about a child's right to education.

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Mon Nov 26 13:58:34 2007