Child Labour ~ Part 1

The National Sample Survey 2000, reported 16.4 million Indian children aged 5-14 years were 'engaged in economic activities and domestic or non-remunerative work'. Another 46 million children of school-going age are unaccounted for, neither enrolled in school nor officially working. Giving India at least one reason to be #1 — home to the largest number of child labourers on the planet. (source : Indiatogether ezine - http://www.indiatogether.org/2006/aug/hrt-notify06.htm)

Poverty and illiteracy are the main reasons behind rampant exploitation of children. Depriving a child of it's education for the sake of daily wage jobs temporarily solves financial problems of many poor families. An extra hand to earn is always welcome. But the Rs.20 daily wage is all that the child is probably going to earn for the next 20 - 30 years, no matter how much inflation soars. Leave out college studies, school education alone will fetch the child at least a decent monthly salary job. But alas, majority of the poor families are still ignorant of the rewards of school education. Awareness and intellectual progress that education alone can offer is the usually unknown extra benefit. But, poor families whose major day to day problem is food for survival do not pause to think about long term benefits. Their grand parents could not afford to think about educating these children's parents, so these parents too are in poverty and cannot afford to think about educating their children.It would continue for generations if this vicious cycle is not broken.Thus the first step to increase literacy is to reach out to uneducated parents and make them aware of the benefits of education, it's power to bring their family out of poverty.

Awareness and encouragement are the much needed start up steps to make illiterate parents aware of the benefits of educating their children. Most of the children who manage to find their way to schools turn away from education due to lack of interest. Think of a government funded school where the average teacher to student ration is around 1: 40. And remember in most of the government schools, it is only one teacher who handles all subjects. Based on the fact that most of these students come from families that have minimal or no education, they need more attention and intensive coaching from primary school onwards. But the poor teacher to student ratio only shows that most of the poor students do not get the coaching and attention they need. When a child spends 5 to 8 hours in school without understanding most of the subjects taught, school ceases to be an interesting place. It becomes more of a burden to the kid. Nagging poverty at home is an additional factor contributing to the child's interest turning against education. Most of them picturise schools as punishment centers and teachers as frightful people. Changing this attitude is key to making them continue their education. Conducive family environment and playful learning methods are imperative to boost their interest in education. Government run schools have the largest student drop off numbers as they cater to the BPL families. Improving teacher to student ratio in all these public Govt funded schools is a must. Separating children in to groups depending on their capacity to learn quickly would help identify children who need intensive attention.

Now, is it necessary that only government can take these steps? Believing that only governments or influential NGOs can reduce illiteracy is an indication of our tendency to ignore our duty towards society. Any one irrespective of age, gender and status can contribute. The more willing we are to work for the society, the more are the ways in which we can help.

-- Sri Saranya.