Madi Okollo District hosts the Children’s Parliament

By Geofrey Achora Jr

The learners of Madi Okollo District are calling for access to digital resources to improve learning in their schools. This was revealed during the children’s Parliament at the district headquarters in preparation for the commemoration of the Day of Africa Child today Friday 16th June 2023. #WhisperEyeNews

The International Day of the African Child is a day to recognize and celebrate the achievements of children in Africa. The day was first observed in 1991 to commemorate an uprising by students protesting against their unequal access to education in South Africa during apartheid. Since then, it has grown into a global celebration of African children and their resilience despite the difficult circumstances they face daily. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment.”

The children while debating in the children’s Parliament, argued that digital access is very important in improving their performance through electronic learning.

 They further stressed that digitalization has helped them to access reproductive health services, know their rights and improve their knowledge of culture.

 The learners however cited lack of electricity, poor network, and lack of ICT equipment as challenges that hinder access to digitalization as well as online harassment and pornography as some of the evils of digitalization.

However, Plan International noted that digitalization complements their work where most of their activities are implemented digitally for instance the participation of children on radio talk shows. Plan International however cited the misuse of digitalization where children learn adult content which affects their behavior appealing to parents to monitor what children access online.

While chairing the Children’s Parliament, Deputy Speaker Feta Denis said that despite the fact that digitalization is healthy in promoting the lives of children, it sometimes affects them negatively.

Madi Okollo district Probation and welfare officer Erima Emmanuel reminded the participants of last year’s children’s Parliament where the children cited child marriage, parental neglect, denial of basic needs, and physical violence among harmful practices practiced against children which needed to be addressed.

Erima said that his office with the support of partners trained parents on parenting, and carried out sensitization and case management among others.

The RDC Madi Okollo Toko Swaib said that the children in their debate were addressing the NRM manifesto of digitalization. Committing that NRM plans to provide computers in schools to enhance learning.

Toko informed us that there is an ongoing electricity connection and by 2026, all institutions will be connected.

Madi Okollo District celebrations of the International Day of the African Child will be held Friday 16th June 2023 in Tika zone Rhino camp Refugee Settlement.