Give us a break: Why some children are unhappy at lunch time

The enthusiastic response to its first consultation with children has convinced the National Parents Council – Primary it is something it should do more of.

While teenagers are more likely to be given a say on issues – with student councils established in many secondary schools – this five to 12 age group is often overlooked, says NPC chief executive Áine Lynch. But this survey shows “they did have things to say and they were very clear about what they wanted to say”.

“It raises questions for us as an organisation and society in general about how we should be asking younger children for their views,” she adds.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office, which was established in 2004, promotes and defends the rights of those under 18 and regularly consults younger children, both formally and informally, about what matters to them.

Groups of primary school children attend educational workshops at the office in Dublin, during which they raise a diverse range of issues, says Karen McAuley, participation and education officer at the office.

“One of the things that they do is remind us, on an ongoing basis, of their interest in expressing their views and also their capacity to do so,” she says. There have also been more formal consultations with this age group in relation to healthcare, bullying and upholding the rights of the child.

Generally, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office has seen progress over the past 10 years in making provision for children and young people to be heard, as well as a wider acceptance of the concept of listening to children’s views in the context of decision-making that affects them.

However, she adds, the office feels Ireland still has some way to go in translating children’s rights to be heard into their lived experience.

Voices of discontent: Why some children are unhappy

“No one to play with.”

“There is nothing fun to do in the yard.”

“The classroom is sometimes smelly and we don’t get time to wash our hands before we eat.”

“Not allowed to talk during lunch as it gives the teacher a headache.”

“Playground taken over by footballers. Nothing for older girls to do.”

“I don’t like going outside for lunch as the bigger kids running around scares me and I and my friends have been knocked over.”

"Not allowed to bring any play things out like skipping ropes, balls, and so on. Some bullying too."

“Not allowed to take even a piece of fruit to the yard.”

“Girls all having to play together is not fair. You should be able to play with who you want when you want as some girl organisers are very bossy and unfair.”

“I’m in sixth class and am a girl. I would experience a lot of being excluded.”

From the NPC survey of primary school children