Children’s Panchayat Secures Dignity and Sanitation in Chhadia Village

Sometimes, the biggest barrier to a girl’s education isn’t a lack of books or teachers, it is a locked door. In Chhadia village, a rusted lock on a school toilet represented years of ignored dignity and missed classes. But through the Khushaal Bachpan program, the members of the Children’s Panchayat didn’t just wait for someone to find the key; they became the locksmiths of their own rights, turning a forgotten utility into a functioning symbol of student power.

In the small rural village of Chhadia in Chhattisgarh, most families depend on agriculture and daily wage labor for their livelihoods. The village middle school serves children from the local community and several nearby hamlets, acting as a vital hub for education. While the classrooms were functional, basic facilities like the girls’ toilet had remained unused and poorly maintained for several years. This meant that female students either had to wait until they returned home or find alternatives outside the school premises, a situation that deeply affected their comfort and led to irregular attendance. The children soon realized that this was not merely an inconvenience, but a fundamental issue connected to their health, dignity, and their right to a safe education.

The turning point occurred during a weekly meeting at the Learning Centre, where a facilitator introduced the members to their rights and responsibilities within a Children’s Panchayat. As the children reflected on their daily experiences, the girls voiced their concerns about the unusable sanitation facilities. Led by their president, Dimple, along with members Himanshu and Jigyasha, the group decided that the issue needed to be formally communicated to the school and village authorities. They recognized that collective action was the only way to ensure girls had the same basic facilities as boys.

On 20 January, the children submitted a written application to the headmaster, Mr. Dhirendra Kumar Verma, and the village sarpanch, Ms. Sarita Ugendra Dewangan. In their letter, they explained how the lack of a usable toilet was disrupting their daily routines and requested that the Panchayat take immediate action. The children’s advocacy did not stop with a letter; they decided to present their concerns at the upcoming Gram Sabha, where community members and leaders gather to discuss village development.

On 31 January, the application was presented before the Gram Sabha. Members of the Children’s Panchayat attended the meeting alongside their mentor, Ms. Shubhashini Yadav, to explain the problem directly to the wider community. Following this, on 25 February, they presented the issue to the School Management Committee (SMC), including members such as Mr. Nakul Verma and Mrs. Meena Verma. During this meeting, Dimple highlighted that a functional toilet would ensure a safe environment and help students feel comfortable enough to attend classes for the entire day.

This persistent pressure prompted a swift inspection by the Panchayat, which found that the existing structure was sound but had been abandoned due to a lack of maintenance. The Panchayat moved quickly to make the facility operational, and on 26 February, the toilet was officially opened. In a significant move to foster student leadership, the keys were entrusted to Dimple and Jigyasha, who took on the responsibility of ensuring the facility remained clean and accessible.

Today, the girls of Chhadia Middle School have access to a safe environment, proving that organized participation by children can successfully transform school infrastructure and restore dignity.