Children’s Gram Sabha at Raichur district, Karnataka

A special children’s grama sabha was organised at the Government Higher Primary School, Dondambli, Devadurga taluk, Raichur district on 24 December 2019. The gram sabha was organised by the Raichur zilla panchayat, and Devadurga taluk panchayat in association with the Don Bosco Social Service Society, Devadurga.

Master Mukthasaba from the Government Higher Primary School (GHPS), Joladhadgi, Devadurga and Miss Ayyamma from GHPS Dondambli, Devadurga, represented the 300 children present at the sabha. Inaugurating the gram sabha with Mr. Hanumantharaya- President, Dondambli GP, Mr. Devaraj- Panchayat Development Officer (PDO), Dondambli, reminded the elders at the gathering of their responsibility to ensure that children enjoy good health, education, love, care and protection from harmful environments and to enhance the development of children to help them enjoy a joyful childhood. Mr. Sharanagowda, Cluster Resource Person (CRP), Dondambli, spoke about the need for quality education for children as a means to eliminate child labour and ensure prosperity for society. To support the mid-day meal scheme, over 600 plates and glasses were distributed to the following villages of the Dondambli GP—Konchapli, Nagargund, Joladhadgi, Huvinhadgi, Wagadambli, Mydargol, Benkal, Dondambli—to ensure that quality meals were provided to all children in these schools.

The children used the platform of the grama sabha to raise their concerns, such as the availability of clean drinking water in every school in the Dondambli GP, re-enrollment of school dropouts, construction of compound walls and  playgrounds for all the schools etc. Their prioritised demand was the construction of a new Government High School in Dondambli village because its absence forced children to travel to other villages for high school education. The practical challenges in travelling to other villages, especially for the girls, have become contributing factors for increasing school dropouts. Mr. Hanumantharaya and Mr. Devaraj assured the children that their concerns would be addressed with high priority during the Panchayat meetings and the construction of school compound walls will be included in the new financial year. Mr. Siddalingappa, Coordinator, CREAM project, Raichur assisted the children to dialogue with the officials.