Focus Group 2: Children with Special Needs Family Do you feel that your parents or carers ask your opinion about things that matter to you? This can mean anything from asking your opinion on what you eat, which school you want to go to, or what sort of sports or other recreational activity you want to take part in. If they ask you, and you give them your opinion, do you think they take your views seriously when they decide? Health Care When you go to the doctor or the nurse, do you feel that you are given information on what may be causing your health problem? Are you given information on what sort of treatment you are getting, and why? Is the information you are given clear enough for you to be able to make a decision regarding your treatment? Have you been asked for your opinion on what sort of treatment you received at a healthcare facility? Education Have you been asked by national or local authorities what you think should be included in school programmes? If so, can you describe how this happened, and were you happy with how they approached you? Do you know if your school has any school council or school boards, or student representatives where you and other children can be represented? Do you and other students have a say in school policies, codes of conduct, and school rules? How do these bodies function in practice? Do you feel that they exist in name only, or do you think they take your views into consideration? Do you feel that you have a say in decisions taken by the school? Do you feel that teachers involve you in planning their lessons and activities? Do your lessons include human rights and children’s rights? Do you know of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child? To be asked only if students are at secondary school level: Does your school teach you about democracy and active citizenship at school? Is there an independent student organisation or union in the Maldives? When you changed from primary school to secondary school, did you have a say in what school you went to? Do you know if you can participate in out-of-school education and other activities if you have to leave school early? Play, recreation, sports and culture Have you ever been asked about what sort of playground you would like in your neighbourhood, or what sort of recreation, sports and cultural activities should be available in your neighbourhood? Have you ever been consulted on local youth work activities? Does your school consult you when new school clubs and activities are being set up? What do you think of the consultations? Do you have any say in relation to playgrounds, recreation, sports and cultural activities? 77