NAWALPARASI: The use of children in public event has increased as of late, especially in programmes like rally and reception organised by government and non-government organisations.

Lately, children have been mobilised in events held to declare areas free of open defecation and fully literate. At times, schools are closed for the same purpose.

Last Friday, Gurans Nepal, a local NGO mobilised school children in a street procession in the name of making the Bardaghat municipality plastic-free. The NGO reportedly had paid forty thousand rupees to the schools in the area.

Officer at the District Child Welfare Committee Ravi Gautam said an interaction would soon be held to discuss the issue, which has been ignored despite several calls by the Committee.

District Education Officer Khadga Bahadur Kamal said children should not be used in public event and necessary clarification will be sought from the concerned resource centres and schools.