A delegation of children and teachers from the 'Ardecoil Na Mara School' in Ireland visited a Delhi Government school on Friday to observe the Child Parliament and understand its functioning and processes.
They visited the Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya (RPVV) Hari Nagar. This was one of the many such national and international delegations which have been visiting Delhi Government schools over the last two years.
The children from Ireland interacted with the 24-member Child Parliament of RPVV Hari Nagar for over three hours engaging in an insightful discussion. The interaction was centred around the two countries' governance models and extent of child participation in the functioning of schools.
The children of the Delhi Government school explained to the Irish delegation the concept of the Child Parliament and how it had resulted in significantly expanding the role of children in schools. They also asked the students of Ardecoil Na Mara School about the schooling system in Ireland. The two groups exchanged insights on the governance models in their respective countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Manish Sisodia said, "Child Parliament is an interesting concept that ensures participation of children in schools. It is a proud moment for the children of Delhi that a delegation from Ireland has paid them a visit to understand the system. Delhi Government strives to ensure that children get exposure beyond their regular syllabus, and such interactions help add perspective to children's thought process."
The Child Parliament is structured like the Indian Government, with an entire Cabinet and members of Opposition to keep the Cabinet accountable. It is a fascinating experiment that also promotes the spirit of democracy among children. The visit was facilitated by the 'Nine is Mine' campaign and 'Pratyek' an NGO working on issues of child rights and participation.