Siddhababa Secondary School Students Emulate Federal Parliament in Model Youth Parliament

Gulmi, January 4, 2024 – In an innovative educational exercise, Siddhababa Secondary School in Gulmi has successfully conducted a Model Youth Parliament to familiarize its students with the workings of the Federal Parliament of Nepal. This initiative aimed to provide a practical understanding of the parliamentary system and develop critical thinking and leadership skills among the students.

Highlights of the Model Youth Parliament

• Representation of Constituencies: Students, particularly from law and education faculties, participated as model parliamentarians, representing various constituencies across Nepal from East Mechi to West Mahakali.
• Presentation of National Issues: The model parliamentarians highlighted key issues facing the country, including education, health, employment, agriculture, and infrastructure. Their discussions mirrored real-life parliamentary debates, emphasizing the need for more attention to these critical sectors.
• Focus on Social Challenges: Students addressed various social issues such as commercialization of health services, caste-based discrimination, gender wage gaps, and violence against women. These discussions underscored the ongoing social challenges in Nepal.

Student Contributions and Perspectives

• Asha Gharti's Appeal: Representing a federal parliamentarian, Asha Gharti raised the issue of Jumla's apples lacking a market, highlighting the plight of local farmers.
• Health Service Concerns: Model MPs Sandhya Vishwakarma and Pramila Vishwakarma questioned the effectiveness of health insurance programs and the commercialization of health services.
• Caste System Critique: Lakshmi Thapa and Shivani Bhattarai spoke against caste-based discrimination, emphasizing the importance of abolishing untouchability and caste-based exploitation.

Constructive Debates and Legislative Exercise

• Infrastructure and Environmental Issues: Sujata Pandey brought attention to the challenges faced by the people of western Gulmi due to inadequate infrastructure, especially during natural calamities.
• Gender Equality and Women's Rights: Tara Khatri emphasized the persistent wage gap and violence against women, calling for more effective measures to ensure gender equality.

Interactive Parliamentary Session

• Role-Playing Government Officials: Students like Mamata Budhathoki, Special Panthi, Pratishka Shrestha, and others played the roles of the Prime Minister and Ministers, engaging in discussions and responding to issues raised by the Model Youth MPs.
• Opposition's Participation: Riya Sris and Bipin Sunar, representing the opposition, actively participated by objecting to certain rules and questioning the government's actions.

Successful Conclusion and Educational Impact

After a thorough and spirited debate, the Model Youth Parliament saw the passage of the School Education Bill, a testament to the students' understanding and engagement with legislative processes. The principal, Dorvikram Sris, noted that this first-of-its-kind event in the district was organized with support from Naya Yuva Naya Soch Nepal. The exercise not only educated 100 participating students about Nepal's legislative processes but also excited the audience, showcasing the students' potential in understanding and contributing to national issues.

The Model Youth Parliament at Siddhababa Secondary School stands as a significant educational endeavor, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical understanding of Nepal’s parliamentary system. It highlights the importance of engaging young minds in national issues, fostering a sense of responsibility, and nurturing future leaders and decision-makers of the country.