Climate emergency: children’s advocacy NGO against school closures
The National Inclusive Children's Parliament writes to India’s Chief Justice. Interruptions not only lead to learning problems, but deprive many pupils of a regular meal. For NICP president, “Schools are not just classrooms – they are spaces where we grow, thrive, and feel safe”.
Delhi (AsiaNews) – The National Inclusive Children's Parliament (NICP), an association that represents and protects children from vulnerable communities, has written to India's Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, to denounce the negative impact of school closures on children.
School closures caused by pollution and climate emergencies are causing serious problems in the Indian subcontinent, with potentially negative impact on children’s education, especially among the most vulnerable social groups.
The petition, drafted and signed by a group of children, notes that closures end up undermining their constitutional rights, as well as those guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which includes the right to education, nutrition, and safety.
This issue does not only affect education, but also children’s nutrition since many, in fact, rely on the midday meals provided by schools as a primary source of their everyday nourishment.
School closures put them at serious risk of hunger and malnutrition, further compromising their growth and well-being.
Without action, children risk falling into a cycle of poverty, exploitation and abandonment, reads the petition, reposted by the Catholic Connect Reporter (CCR).
The appeal, submitted through PRATYeK on behalf of the NICP, details children's struggles – for food and books – and provides actionable recommendations. The signatories ask that midday meals or dry rations be available even during school closures, to ensure continuity in nutrition.
It is also hoped that hybrid learning modes will be implemented, to maintain access to education by prioritising safety during emergencies. The goal is to turn schools into day-boarding facilities and holiday activity hubs, with regular access to food, protection, and development opportunities.
The appeal also highlighted the wider implications of school closures, noting how children have been deprived not only of education, but also of essential resources such as safe environments, opportunities for socialisation, and protection from exploitation.
Referring to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the children stressed that school closures violate their right to education, play, health, and protection.
They note that many of their peers have been left unsupervised, vulnerable to child labour, and unable to access digital education due to lack of resources.
The document not only contains criticism, but also expresses gratitude for the Supreme Court's efforts to address air quality emergencies, despite the need for more comprehensive and child-centred solutions.
“Schools are not just classrooms – they are spaces where we grow, thrive, and feel safe,” said NICP president Nikky, stressing the importance of ensuring that no child is left behind, even in times of crisis.
The letter ends with a call for systemic reforms to protect children's rights during emergencies. By amplifying their voices, the NICP hopes to encourage judicial and political accountability to ensure a future where every child in India has uninterrupted access to education, nutrition and safety, even in the face of the challenges posed by climate crises and pollution.
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