Mysuru: Students of Government Schools donned the role of Parliamentarians at the Children’s Parliament and debated excellently on contemporary problems plaguing Government Schools.

The innovative event was organised by Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and Department of Public Instruction this morning at the premises of the Office of the Regional Commissioner on Hunsur Road here.

Totally 85 students from 17 Government Schools (13 in Mysuru taluk and 4 in KR Pet) participated as members of the ‘Parliament’. Similar Parliaments’ were held at the respective Schools recently. The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Education Minister and Health Minister of those Parliaments participated in today’s event.

The Children’s Parliament is a group of children of a particular village, neighbourhood, or region who come together as a group for activities, learning, and to represent their interests and opinions to the decision-makers of the village. 

The Children’s Parliament began with the members unanimously electing B.R. Mithun as the Speaker who was authorised to conduct the proceedings.

Principal District and Sessions Judge S.K. Vantigodi inaugurated the event by unveiling a poster which depicted a train with children heading towards the Parliament. He lauded the effort of GRAAM and other organisations in holding the event after the Constitution Day (Nov. 26). He expressed confidence that today’s children can surely emerge as future leaders.

The session began formally with the members observing a minute’s silence to pay homage to playwright and actor Girish Karnad and former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The debate began with the members voicing allegations on absence of first-aid kits at schools, demanding a regular health check-up for children, sanitary pad dispenser, leaking drainage lines, school sign boards near the busy junction and many more.

The officials gave a patient hearing to the problems and assured to do the needful.

GRAAM Executive Director Dr. R. Basavaraj, SP C.B. Ryshyanth, DDPI Dr. Panduranga, DIET Principal K. Mahadevappa, Assistant Commissioner Venkatraj, MCC Council Secretary Rangaswamy and others were present.