Back To School

1. Back To School Education for all

2. Back ground of the study • The survey of child labour in Thiruvarur District has identified 460 child labourers. Of these 277 are boys and 183 are girls. • Substantial number of child workers has been identified in Kodavasal (84), Koradacherri (80), Nannilam (69), Needamangalam (66) and Valangaiman (64).

3. Needamangalam • Needamangalam is a block in Thiruvarur district and it is here our Public School is located. • As per official data 66 children take out a living as child laborers • Most of these children are drop-outs from schools.

4. Goal of the project • To understand the factors that contribute to child labour • To mobilise public opinion on child labour • To sensitise local community to support eradicating child labour • To motivate local community to encourage children pursue education

5. Public School • The drop out students of Public school for the last three years sum up to 32. • These children contribute to the minuscule of child labour.

6. Data sources • School attendance register • Data available with District Educational Officer • Data available with Chief Educational officer

7. Location of the study • The study is restricted to Needamangalam Village. • Middle street • Indira colony • Children dropped out from the Public school

8. Collection of data • We interviewed 66 drop-out students, their parents and local leaders. • Identified reasons for dropping out from schools • We read out a questionnaire and recorded the responses

9. Common work children are engaged in, in Needmangalam • Cattle rearing • Sheep grazing • Baby sitting • Farm works • Poultry • Domestic help

10. Data on kind of work children are engaged in

11. Comparative analysis of boys and girls

12. Our research findings… • Girl children drop out rate is double than boys. • 71 per cent of Girl children are engaged in primarily for baby sitting and domestic help • 74 per cent of the boys are engaged in cattle rearing and farm work

13. Reasons for dropped out from schools • Poverty -90 per cent • Not interested in Education- 1 per cent • Parents are not interested in sending their wards to school -9 per cent • The major chunk of drop out students cite reason for dropping out of school is POVERTY

14. Reasons for drop-outs

15. General reasons for increased drop out rates • Poverty • Lack of awareness on the importance of education • Lack of awareness on Child rights • Lack of commitment from the local authorities • Lack of enforcement of the law by Govt

16. Mobilising public opinion • We conducted group discussion for local leaders • Conducted rally • Staged an awareness drama for the local community • Conducted poster campaign

17. Suggestions… • Provide alternate income generating program for local people • Have shift system where children learn and earn • School is the best place for work –so design vocational courses for children to learn • Commitment from the local community ensuring children are not employed in any work • Stringent enforcement of child labour law

18. After the project… • Students drop out rate reduced • Local leaders are serious about abolishing child labor and committed to the cause of education • Students are interested in getting back to schools • Parents are interested in sending their wards to schools

19. Thank you