Author: Pramila H Bhargava
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 212
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0761996176
Description
The undesirable practice of child labour robs children of their childhood, denies them access to education and stunts the growth and development of future citizens. This important book reports a successful programme to tackle the social evil of child labour which was implemented by the author.
Despite general agreement on the need to eliminate child labour, this menace continues to flourish, especially in developing countries like India where it exists in large measures. While many efforts have been made to eradicate child labour, few of them have succeeded in practice or have had a long-term impact.
Without going into the pros and cons of child labour, the book is premised on the belief that it should be eliminated and emphasizes that the only way this can be achieved is through education.
Analyzing the reasons that led to the success of the programme, the author identifies four major factors:
•Bringing about coordination between the various government departments/agencies dealing with children so that they act in unison.
•Setting up residential camps for child labourers where they are imparted elementary education.
•Providing formal training in vocational skills.
•Involving the Community in tacking the problem.
In her account, Pramila Bhargava brings in the voices of parents, teachers, farmers, and the children themselves. In conclusion, she destils her experience and presents a cost-effective, practical and viable model which can be used by anyone engaged in tackling the phenomenon of child labour.
Based on first-hand, grassroots experience and written in a refreshingly direct manner, this book will be of immense value to all those working to eliminate child labour. It will also be of interest to those in the field of education, sociology, public administration and development studies as also to NGOs, social activists, policy-makers and funding bodies.