Funday Times

Every child needs a teacher," was the main theme of Global Action Week 2006. The objective of the programme was to ensure the protection of the rights of all children, to gain admission into schools and also to learn from a teacher who is professionally qualified. Thus the programme had its main focus on 'the teacher.'

Global Action Week was held from April 24 to 30 and "The National Children's Lobby on Education," was held at the BMICH on April 25. Incidentally, this event takes place simultaneously in over 100 countries around the world and is organised globally by the Global Campaign for Education.

Around 200 children from around the country participated in the event on Tuesday, April 25. The children performed a skit, in which they raised questions as to what a teacher should or should not be and what the child expects of a teacher. They also raised the problems faced by teachers and also the need for well qualified teachers.

In the dossier prepared by Coalition for Education Development,

some of the qualities which were expected by a teacher, were listed. These were for example, to recognise the child for whom he or she is, to listen to the child, to appreciate the child, to provide guardianship, to identify his or her needs etc. Other duties aimed at developing the creativity and values in the child and coordinating between school and parents were also focussed on.

Without a proper teacher there would be no proper guidance for students, pupils will not be able to read or write, there will be no socialising in children through the school environment, there will also be difficulties in finding jobs and one of the worst scenarios would be the deterioration of society and the increase in crimes.

Thus the importance of the teacher can be seen. A very important idea that the children raised at the event was how children with special needs such as the deaf, dumb, blind, those having polio etc., should also be given the right to a proper education. What they highlighted was that every child has the right to education and so do children with disabilities.

The Chief Guest for the event was Susil Premajayanth, Minister of Education. Global Action Week was organised by Global Campaign for Education and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.