Waiting for a performance-oriented child budget

The Finance Minister has presented budget thoughts for children (Shishuder Niye Budget Vabna) recently in the Jatiyo Sangsad (National Parliament). This is the first time for such a report which has been placed before parliament. This is, in fact, a summary of budgetary allocations of five ministries directly related to socio-economic development of the children. The report took into consideration the projects, programmes and activities which directly deal with the needs, rights and welfare of the children. The report may not be exhaustive as other ministries may have some activities that impact children rights and welfare. The finance minister conceded it and told in the Jatiyo Sangsad that he was going to undertake a project titled "Strengthening Capacity for Child Focused Budgeting in Bangladesh" which would commence from July 2015. This will enhance the reporting and proper utilisation of resources.
The report on Child Budget focuses on the efforts of the government to ensure child rights and welfare. The report would enable all concerned, including parents, politicians, policy makers, civil society, non-governmental organisations (NGO), government officials, national and international organisations engaged in the protection of child rights and welfare to evaluate the programmes and activities targeting the children in the country. Although Bangladesh initiated such report for the first time, some other countries including South Africa, Brazil, India, Kenya and Vietnam have been practising child budget over many years.
The budgetary allocations of five ministries, e.g., ministry of health and family welfare, ministry of education, ministry of primary and mass education, ministry of social welfare and ministry of women and children affairs have been shown which directly and indirectly help protection of child rights and welfare. Three considerations prompted the finance minister to do so. These are: investment in child health, investment in child education and investment for the protection, welfare and development of children. The report suggests that out of the total budget a yearly average of 4.77 per cent was allocated for health sector over FY 2011-12 to FY 2015-16. Similarly 12.05 per cent of total national budget was allocated on an average every year for 'Education and Primary & Mass Education" over FY 2011-12 to FY 2015-16. Over the same period, the annual average allocation for the ministry of women and children affairs and ministry of social welfare is 1.84 per cent of total national budgets. In general, the ministry of social welfare deals with the old, disabled and distressed women and children regarding their welfare and social security. The ministry of women and children affairs deals with the welfare of women and children, their legal rights and social security. In this context, the budget allocation for the activities of these two ministries is not enough. An average allocation of 1.84 per cent of total national budget or 0.27 per cent of gross domestic production (GDP) does not eloquently speak of investment for child security and welfare. The finance minister himself admits that good performance cannot be judged by allocations alone. He stressed the need for strategic planning and its effective implementation.
It is on record that Bangladesh has made a remarkable progress in children's advancement and rights that include access to basic health, education, food, nutritional service, safe water and healthy sanitation. There has been a steady decline in the infant mortality rate from 66 per thousand live births in 1991-99 to 48 per thousand in 2009-12. The neonatal death rate fell to 34 per thousand live births from 42 during the same period. The underweight decreased from 48 per cent in 2000-03 to 38  per cent in 2009-12 and wasting decreased from 17 per cent in 2000-03 to 12 per cent in 2009-12. Bangladesh has achieved gender parity in primary and secondary schooling and universal primary school enrolment.
However, there are still challenges in achieving children's rights and advancement. Challenges that the children face in society are multi-sectoral and multidimensional. Children in Bangladesh continue to lack basic amenities and opportunities of life. Despite notable progress in health and nutrition indicators as mentioned earlier, infant mortality rate and under-5 mortality rate are still very high compared to other South Asian countries. The proportion of children aged 6-59 months with stunting underweight and wasting are also high. Children continue to remain susceptible to new and old infectious diseases. The prevalence and consequence of anaemia are most severe among children aged 6-23 months.
There are other challenges. A large number of students cannot complete either primary education or secondary-level education. In the public sector the vocational and technical education system is yet to be strengthened. Although sanitation coverage has increased significantly, about 59 per cent of the children do not have access to sanitary latrines. Child labour has been a major concern. Laws regulating child labour exist but implementation is not adequate. About 12 per cent of the total civilian labour force consists of child labour. Child marriage is still a major issue. A large proportion of the children of the hard-core poor in the urban areas grows up uncared for, deprived of the basic needs and opportunities. Urban poor children are victims of neglect and exploitation and girl street children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Learning opportunities are scanty for working children such as waste collectors, leather workers, brick breakers, auto-workshop workers and tempo helpers, etc. There are still obstacles in protecting children's rights. There are frequent cases of child abuse, exploitation and trafficking. A proper strategy is still lacking to address the health-care needs of the children with physical and mental disabilities.
The real life situation suggests that Bangladesh will have to undertake vigorous efforts in the field of protecting children's rights and children's welfare. The report "Budget Thoughts for Children" placed before the Jatiya Sangsad is a noble venture. The budget allocations for five ministries impacting children's rights and advancement do not provide segregated figures that is directly meant for children's welfare and advancement. Some of these allocations may have direct impact, some may have indirect impact and half of total allocations seem to have no impact for protection of children's rights and advancement of children. It is expected that the proposed project, "Strengthening Capacity for Child Focused Budgeting in Bangladesh," to be commenced from July 2015, will help in having a performance-oriented child budget for future fiscals.

The writer is an economist and columnist.
chowdhuryjafar@ymail.com