Children demand 9 pc GDP for education, health

Students from 11 states participated in a rally on Wednesday, demanding allocation of 9 per cent of the GDP for education and health by 2014.

The UPA government had promised 6 per cent of the GDP for education and 3 per cent for health under the Common Minimum Programme in 2004. But the current spending on health is 1.06 per cent and education is 3.78 per cent of the GDP.

Over 2,000 children participated in the ‘Nine is Mine’ event organised by representatives from schools. Programme coordinator Brother Steve Rocher said the initiative is led by ‘Wada Na Todo Abhiyan’, the ‘Don’t Break Your Promise’ campaign, to hold the government accountable for denial of basic rights to children.

Nine children from each of the 11 states gathered with their Delhi peers at the parade.

“We were supposed to hold this event at India Gate. But authorities cancelled the permission at the last minute as the place is meant for government programmes. We did not lose hope. Soon, St Columba’s School gave us space for the parade,” said Brother Steve.

The parade began with the children dancing and singing folk songs. A performance by Ekam Satyam followed, which delighted children. A city-based band, Delhi Drummers, also enthralled the crowd.

A minute’s silence was observed on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary as well.
A delegation of children also met Rajya Sabha vice-chairperson Rahman Khan. “The Centre is giving importance to education by enforcing the Right to Education Act,” said Khan