KARACHI: In a landmark moment for the first-ever Sindh Children’s Parliament, Syeda Rida Batool Kazmi took oath as Chief Minister after securing a decisive victory with 40 votes.
Her contender, a ninth-grade student from GHS Mithi Tharparkar, Ashok Kumar, trailed behind with 24 votes and became the opposition leader. Rida’s success marks a promising beginning for this historic initiative, showcasing young leadership in action.
Thar Education Alliance, with support from the Sindh Education & Literacy Department (SE&LD), Reform Support Unit (RSU) and UNICEF, launched an initiative with an aim to empower children and promote the right to education across Sindh.
Children from 30 districts of the province participated in this initiative, two children were selected from each of the districts, while six students were chosen from Sujawal district. These representatives serve as the voices of their respective districts in the parliament.
Sindh Children Parliament’s newly-elected Chief Minister, a 10th-grade student from GGHSS Tando Allahyar Syeda Rida Batool Kazmi shared her views while talking with the media that the Children’s Parliament process had inspired her to believe that a woman could be the Chief Minister of Sindh. “Though this initiative focuses on the rights of children, I am confident that, with a well-structured advocacy plan and the support of our representatives, we can drive a meaningful change,” she expressed.
Zainab Khan, an 8th-grade student from Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) PSP Badin got elected as the Minister for Quality Education. “While everyone acknowledges education as a fundamental right, the reality is far from ideal,” she said.
“Through my participation, I aim to bring out-of-school children into the classroom because a child understands the language and struggles of another child better than anyone else.”
Like these two young students, other ministers and members took an oath with the aim of bringing out-of-school children back into the education system and ensuring every child has access to opportunities.
Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairman Iqbal Ditho said the commission is actively monitoring the rights of children in Sindh, ensuring access to basic education, and addressing related issues. The Commission also issues directives to the government to take necessary steps in this regard.
Partab Shivani, Chief Executive Officer of the Thar Education Alliance, stated that for the first time in Sindh, a Children’s Parliament is being established with the support of UNICEF, Education Department and Reform Support Unit. He explained that the initiative aims to reintegrate out-of-school children into the education system and provide them with better opportunities for learning and growth.
Published in Express Tribune on 18th December 2024.