Council lesson for 20 students

By MOHAMMED AL A' ALI
CHILDREN were allowed to take part in a Manama Municipal Council meeting for the first time yesterday, even giving feedback to councillors on problems they are facing in their areas.
Twenty Umm Ayman Primary School for Girls students were present at the meeting, which saw councillors divided into four committees and the new chairmen elected.
Al Wefaq's Sadiq Al Basri was elected as financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman, with council vice-chairman Al Menbar's Tariq Al Shaikh and Al Wefaq's Sadiq Rahma as members.
Al Wefaq's Fadhel Abbas was elected as public relations and information committee chairman, with Mr Al Basri, Mr Rahma and Khamis Al Rumaihi as members.
Al Wefaq's Abdulmajeed Al Sebea'a was elected as technical committee chairman, with Mr Abbas, Mr Al Rumaihi and Al Wefaq's Hameed Al Basri as members.
The services and public utilities committee chairmanship is still undecided with Mr Al Shaikh and Mr Al Basri both competing for the post.
Other committee members are Mr Al Sebea'a and Mr Al Rumaihi.
Council chairman Majeed Millad Al Jazeeri said the council was just beginning work.
"The children present with us are here to direct us in our council work, as we begin our four-year term," he said.
"Whether the problems are roads, sewage or lighting - they have addressed us hoping that we could find solutions to them.
"The students' presence has given councillors encouragement because it shows that people believe that the councils are important to the country and its development.
"We are here to provide services to the people and what better way than to listen to problems from children."
He said the new experience of having children at the meeting was beneficial.
"Now councillors have a greater role, not just serving their constituencies' eligible voters, but even children - who have high hopes and ambitions for councillors," he said.
"I hope that other schools would attend our meetings for further support, because the children's presence has really made us proud."