JHARKHAND MIRROR

By Gladson Dungdung

22 September, 2009

Introduction:

Theoretically, the child Rights are right to life with dignity, fundamental freedom (protection and participation) and right to development, inherited in all human beings below the age of 18, irrespective of their race, colour, sex, creed or any other status. In practice, these rights are neither promoted nor protected honestly by the State except in a few cases to show the world community. Though the rights of the Indigenous People are violated from every corner but the community seems to be more sensitive towards the child rights even though the community may not be aware about the theoretical aspect and the UN convention on right of the child, 1989. The practice of child rights is very much prevalent in the indigenous community of Jharkhand. Precisely, because the foundation of the community is based on the principles of collectivism, collective decision, autonomy, non-profit ethos and equality for all. The child rights can be seen in the various aspects of the Indigenous community.  Read more…

By Gladson Dungdung

Tehelka 8 August, 2008

In a Bokaro school, children demanding textbooks make themselves heard by organising a sit-in and refusing entry to grown-ups.

Children protesting in front of school

Free and compulsory education is one of the constitutional rights of children and the State is duty-bound to realise it. The Centre and State governments provide free textbooks, uniforms, midday meals, scholarships and other facilities to the poor children who cannot afford it. For this very reason, when the children of Utkramit Madhya Vidhyalaya in Chandipur of Bokaro district (Jharkhand) were denied these rights, they started relentless resistance against the authorities. Subsequently, they managed to get themselves heard.

The problem of unavailability of the textbooks began with the introduction of the CBSE curriculum in 2002. The state government’s promise to provide free textbooks to the children up to class eight was never fulfilled. The children did not get the books in 2003. While in 2004, the books reached the schools in the month of November, the session passed away without books in 2005. A copyright dispute between the state government and the NCERT meant the children got their books just in time for their annual exams of 2006. It is August 2008 and the last time the children got a fresh set of books was in October 2007. No wonder children of Chandipur School were anxious. Read more…