Child Parliament Program (बाल संसद - Bal Sansad)

• Category / Focus: Child Rights & Democratic Education
• Target Beneficiaries: 11–18 years school-going students
• Primary Location: ZP School, Ithlapur, Parbhani & Pune District

The Bal Sansad (Child Parliament) program is designed to empower children in rural Maharashtra to become active leaders and decision-makers in their communities today rather than waiting for tomorrow. Rooted in the 4 core pillars of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Survival, Protection, Development, and Participation), Asmita Seva Sanstha aims to establish and strengthen 100 Child Parliaments across Zilla Parishad schools in Parbhani and Pune districts.

Key Activities & Operations:

• Weekly Bal Sansad Sessions: Held every Saturday for 1 hour to discuss and debate school infrastructure, sanitation, mid-day meals, and local issues.
• Realistic Election Process: Children participate in real democratic elections complete with ballot papers, manifestos, and campaigns to elect Child Ministers (Education, Health, Water, Sports).
• Child Gram Sabha: Held once every 3 months, providing a direct interface where child representatives present their demands before adult Gram Sabhas and district officials.
• Paani Sansad & Child Rights Training: Training on water budgeting, RTE admissions, prevention of child labor/marriage/trafficking, and awareness of government support systems like ChildLine 1098 and Bal Sangopan Yojana.
• Exposure Visits: Field visits to Panchayat Samiti, Collector Offices, and Vidhan Bhavan to give students practical exposure to governance.