The problem of child labour continues to pose a challenge before the nation. Government has been taking various pro-active measures to tackle this problem. However, considering the magnitude and extent of the problem and that it is essentially a socio-economic problem inextricably linked to poverty and illiteracy, it requires concerted efforts from all sections of the society to make a dent in the problem. Way back in 1979, Government formed the first committee called Gurupad swamy Committee to study the issue of child labour and to suggest measures to tackle it. The Committee examined the problem in detail and made some far-reaching recommendations. It observed that as
long as poverty continued, it would be difficult to totally eliminate child labour and hence, any attempt to abolish it through legal recourse would not be a practical proposition. The Committee felt that in the circumstances, the only alternative left was to ban child labour in hazardous areas and to regulate and ameliorate the conditions of work in other areas. It recommended that a multiple policy approach was required in dealing with the problems of working children.
Article 21:- A Right to EducationThe State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years in such manner as the State, by law, may determine.
Article 24:- Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.No child below the age fourteen years shall be employed in work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.
Article 39:- The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing:-(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.
This is the major scheme for the rehabilitation of child labour. Under the scheme, Project Societies at the district level are fully funded for opening up of special school/Rehabilitation Centres for the rehabilitation of child labour. The special schools/Rehabilitation Centres provide non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition, stipend etc. to children withdrawn from employment. The child workers identified in the survey are put in the special schools and provided the following facilities:
To address the issue PEACE initiated Child labour awareness camps in different villages to create consciousness among the parents to send their children (below 14 years) to schools instead of pressuring them to earn. The drawbacks of engaging children in some particular occupations are explained to the parents in these camps. PEACE, in collaboration with NCLP Paralakhemundi, Gajapati, is looking after 14 schools in Mohana Block and 2 schools in Nuagada Block engaged in different activities. The boys and girls of age 9-14 years who are diverted to other activities are identified and re-enrolled to NCLP schools. In these schools examinations are conducted in every six months to judge the merit of student for admission in formal schools. The objective is to make the students qualified for formal education system. Facilities like day meal; books, dress and stipends of Rs.100/- per month are provided to each student.