SHORT DURATION COURSE FOR CHILD LABOUR
- Machhindra Gojame
An experience of people’s Institute of Rural Development for eradication of child labour. People’s Institute of Rural Development has implemented two major programmes till to date. One is Education Programme for Child Labour and second is campaign against child Labour. But, we were of the scope and intensity of the problem and also the inadequate efforts of Government and voluntary organisation to mitigate the problem. In the mean time we could visit M.V. Foundation Hyadarabad(A.P.) and could see their programme of "Bridge Course Camp" which highly motivated us. To implement this concept T.D.H. agreed to make necessary financial arrangements. In the month of April it was decided that five voluntary organisations will organise 60 days Bridge Course Camps for Child Labour from Latur and Osmanabad districts simultaneously. According all the organisation initiated priliminary activities for implementation of the course.
People’s Institute of Rural Development conducted a survey in 10 villages for enrolment of children in the age group 7-15 for the camp. It was proposed that minimum 100 children should attend the camp. After assessing that 10% will be dropped out 126 children were enrolled for the camp. After enrolment major problem was of accommodation and availability of water. Mr.Shrama, District Collector, Latur has allowed us to use the premises of Mahila Kendra. A Building in Narangwadi was also available for this purpose. But the problem was at one place water was not available and at the second place conductive atmosphere for education was not available. Therefore; a new alternative was to find out. We could get a suitable place, that is anand margi’s Ashrams of Tawasigarh and Salegaon. But the condition was girls will not be allowed to stay with boys. Because two separate Ashrams are there for male and female. Hence, we were compelled to conduct a separate camp for girl children. In this process, instead of starting a course on 1st May, we could start it on 7th May.
Before the commencement of the camp arrangements of enrolment of children, accommodation, water, foodgrains. Teacher, assistant and procurement of other required material were made. Still it took 5 to 6 days for stabilisation and regularisation of the camp. In the beginning children were in less number. Some of them were went back due to homesickness. But slowly and gradually the no. of children was on the rise. Finally there were total 126 children in the camp. Out of which 44 were girl children. Analysis of the attendance of the children revealed that out of 126 children enrolled 47 attended the camp for 5 to 15 days only. There were 44 girl children, they were more interested in attending the camp. Out of 82 male children 47 attended the camp for 5 to 15 days only. Girls were on the fore frout for completing the full term of the course. Out of 44 girls 23 were present for 60 days while out of 82 boys only 12 were present for full term.
Children attended Bridge Camps
TypesAttended CampEnrolled into school
Boys8233
Girls4423
Total12656
Participant children were from landless labour and small farmers families. Analysis also reveled that out of total population 27% were from upper caste. This was a maximum number. While only 8% were from nomadic tribes. OBCs were 19%, SCs were 22%, ST 13% and 11% were from muslim community. But on the basis of this statistics drawing a conclusion of caste wise incidence of child labour will be wrong. This statistics only given the coastwise, Percentage of child Labour participate in the camp. Out of total participants only few of them were literate otherwise majority of them were illiterate. Some of them disclosed that they had attended the schools and wee studiad from 1st to VIIth stds. But majority of them were not able to identify even the alphabets.
The objective of the camp was to bring the children in the main streme of education. For this they wanted to be prepared to appear for IVth or VIIth Std. Examination according to their status and capacities. Therefore, they were classified as literate, samiliterate and illiterate catagories, and according to their category the curriculum was designed. First 15 days were utilised for improving their capacities and for their stabilisation in the campus. Hence gamesm sports and entertainment activities were introduced during those days. After this first phese, preparation for IVth Stds. Was started. Each subject was given 35 to 40 hours for preparation and accordingly the syllabus was administered. Each camp was having three teachers. Teachers role was to teach the children as well as to function as their parents. It was resulted in developing emotional relationship between children and teachers which was visible on the valedictory function.
The camp was for child Labour. The course was designed to suit to the learning capacities of them. Therefore, each period was of 45 minits. And only two periods were taken continuously which followed by a break of 30 minits. To 2 Hours. To provide them healthy entertainment and to improve their general knowledge, facilities for indoor and outdoor games like foot ball, cricket, handbal and T.V.set were made available to them. For their learning purpose. States, pencils, books, pens sketch pens, black boards, maps, charts and other teaching aids were provided.
On 7th july the camp was concluded. One day before the conclusion games, cultural evening and various competitions were organised for them. To asess the performance of children and also to assess their learning’s examinations were conducted. Papers were set class wise and subjectwise. 80% children were passed in grade IVth examination and result was 70% for grade VIIth examination. In the literacy development category 60% children could develop their reading, writing and mathematical skills. Followup action will be undetaken for enrolling these children schools. But this short term residential school for child labour, experiment revealed the following;
1.If such opportunities for education are provided to deprived children then children’s response will be positive.
2.Two month duration for such camp is inadequate. The reason is 15 to 20 days are required for setting them down in the environment. Besides to prepare them for Std. IVth or VIIth minimum four months are required.
3.Education department should make special provisions for incorporating these children in regular schools care should be taken that these provisions are implemented properly.
4.For the needy Children free provision should be made for lodging and boarding along with their education.
5.For the successful conclusion of this camp coordination between parents, government, teachers and social workers is essential.
Many people and extended their support and cooperation to people’s Institute of Rural Development in implementing this programme. Shri Lahu Bande, Mane, Salunke, Sulochana Kumbhar, Sunita Cheuale, Jaimala Borsule and the teachers involved in the implemation of this programme worked with full dedication and commitment. Besides them Sunil Khandalikar, Sanjay Ladke, Shankar Kadam, Vivek Yadav, Shrirang Maske, Ashok Kulkarni, Amrit Bhoge, Patil, Afasana Shaik and other social workers also endeavored and contributed for the success of the camp.
Summary of Residential Bridge camp : -
Features
ØCamps for out of school children; support classes for all children
ØChildren from different villages brought together at one location for camps
ØDuration of bridge camps: two months or more
ØCompressed curriculum covered in camps was based on formal school syllabus
ØSupport given to all children throughout the year
ØIntention was to enroll all children into formal schools
Strengths
ØChildren were released from work and could concentrate on learning during camps
ØThe habit of spending time on learning was developed in children who had never done this before the camp
ØSubstantial teaching was achieved in two months and children were better prepared for school
Concerns
ØLower attendance of girls at camps
ØDifficult involve working children who were either bonded or contributing substantially to family income
ØCost of camps was high we had expired Rs. 2,29,946/- During the Bridge course camp. Hence it is not continued in Further.
ØOrganisation of camps was complicated and staff-intensive
ØChildren had to be taken away from home into unfamiliar environment for camps.
Machhindra Gojame
About the Author
1.Name: Machhindra Gojame
2.Address: People's Intitute Of Rural Development-PIRD
Karad Nagar , Nanded Road ,
P.O.: Ahmedpur , Dist : Latur,
Maharashtra , INDIA
3.Age: 51 years
4.Occupations Field: Rural Dev. & social Change.
5.position: president of PIRD
6:special Subject: Child labour & waterhed development programme.
7:email: grameen@sify.com
website:http://grameen.tripod.com