Andhra Pradesh to host first children’s Assembly on Constitution day

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly will host a Children’s Assembly on November 26, Constitution Day. The move, approved by the state legislature, aims to provide children with a practical understanding of legislative processes and civic responsibilities.

Minister Nara Lokesh, who proposed the idea in previous sessions, said the initiative will help children learn not just their rights but also their duties, fostering responsible citizenship from an early age. “When children understand how assemblies function, and their roles as citizens, societal change begins at home and school,” he added.

Selected students from across the state will assume roles similar to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), ministers, and other parliamentary positions. They will debate proposals, discuss issues affecting children, and vote on mock resolutions, gaining hands-on experience of democracy in action.

While other Indian states have organized school-level Children’s Parliaments, assembly-level events are rare. Karnataka and Kerala have conducted small ceremonial sessions in their legislative assemblies in the past, making Andhra Pradesh’s initiative the first large-scale assembly-level Children’s Assembly in the state.

While Andhra Pradesh is taking a commendable step by organizing a large-scale Children’s Assembly on Constitution Day, it is important that this initiative does not remain a one-time event. Holding such assemblies regularly, ideally every year, will ensure that more children gain firsthand experience of the legislative process, develop civic awareness, and internalize the responsibilities that come with their rights. Making it a recurring program will help institutionalize civic education, allowing generations of students to actively engage with democracy and contribute meaningfully to society.