The interaction was organised at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha, held to mark Children’s Day.
Usually, it is the chief minister who speaks and the gathering that listens. However, the scene was different on Tuesday, when 80 children from lower middle-class families from across the state narrated their problems to chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, who was all ears.
The interaction was organised at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha, held to mark Children’s Day. Fourteen-year-old Mohammed Anas set the tone of the programme by alleging that the food that is supplied to anganwadis is sold off by the teachers. Claiming it to be a big racket, he said government officials should conduct surprise visits to anganwadis to catch the culprits off guard.
Many cringed as Anas spoke. He was appreciated for being fearless. The chief minister, his trademark smile intact, said he would implement the suggestion.
Divya from Tumkur said the threat of stray dogs was a big problem. She said many children in her place avoid coming to school and choose to stay at home out of fear of being attacked by the canines. Gowda seemed taken aback by this. He admitted that dog menace is a big problem.
Also, children complained that HIV-positive children face discrimination at schools and, at times, are not even allowed inside the school. Gowda said this is a very serious issue and the government would take strict action if any teacher or school management was found guilty of discrimination.
Arun Kumar from Bidar said many teachers at his school do not pay attention to teaching and attend to other work while at school. Acknowledging the problem, the chief minister said the issue had come to his notice. He said the problem would be taken seriously as there are hardly enough teachers in the first place. He added that the government would soon hire 8,000 teachers.
Some children even suggested that the number of liquor shops should be reduced and the number of children’s helplines should be increased. Gowda listened to all the suggestions and told the children that whenever they face any administration-related problem, they should write a letter to him and he would look into the situation.
Karnataka Child Rights Observatory, along with legislative forum for child rights, organised the interaction. There were 20 children from Bangalore Urban and Rural districts, besides two children each from rest of the districts.
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