ISLAMABAD: Shah Bibi is seven years old. Her father once worked as a painter but now his kidneys are failing and he can no longer work. Shah Bibi comes from a home drowned in financial woes but that does not stop her from coming on top in every exam she takes at school.

Her school, Mashal Model School in Bari Imam, offers free education to disadvantaged children in the capital.

On Thursday, hundreds of children at Mashal Model School participated in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), organised in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, Right to Play (RTP) Pakistan.

“Universal Children’s Day on November 20 is not only a celebration of having an international treaty to endorse children rights but a reminder for all of us that children are our future and we need to do everything possible to ensure their well being,” said Iqbal Jatoi, Country Manager RTP.

Right To Play (RTP) Pakistan is supporting training of teachers and coaches to provide life skills to children. Iqbal Jatoi while speaking to participants said that there was a serious need to implement the international commitment at the domestic level to provide every child quality education, prevention from disease, peaceful environment and protection from all kinds of abuse.

“My school gives me free books, uniform and sometimes lunch as well. I always get the first position, and also get prizes from the school management,” she said.

Some of the other children, participating in the celebrations shared similar stories.

“My father works as a labourer and I have four brothers and sisters. I study at this school six days a week and also play cricket,” said Junaid Ahmed, who is a student in class 5.

Six-year-old Sakina has an entire side of her body paralyzed. Her father has brought her here from Baltistan so that she can be treated at the National Institute of Rehabilitative Medicine. “I have admitted my daughter in this school so that she can study while getting treated,” said Sakina’s father, Talib Hussain.

The school run by philanthropist Zeba Hussain has 550 students. Some children come from families who are refugees or internally displaced. There are also 13 physically challenged students.

“Seven years ago, I decided to educate disadvantaged children,” she said.

“My experience has shown me that some of these children are highly intelligent but they only need opportunities. As many as 115 children from this school have been able to get admitted to government schools on merit,” she said.

“In the evening we run speed literacy classes in which students are taught course from class I to V within one year. As many as 800 women have also been trained to sew and now they have been able to earn because of it,” she said.

Ms. Suzanne Heyward, wife of Australian High Commissioner, was the chief guest at the event. Students presented skits and puppet shows to highlight the situation of child rights protection in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2014