IMPACT OF EDUCATION IN PREVENTING CHILD LABOUR

 

AUTHORED BY - ADITYA SINGH

Amity Law School, Amity University, Patna

BBA LLB(H)

 

Abstract

For a nation, its future citizen are the children, who are going to lead, control and take the nation towards further progress. Therefore they are the asset and priority for every nation. It is not only India, but overall worldwide that children are made to work. But child labour is tiring, dangerous and hazardous. Since, children are unable to distinguish between just and unjust,right or wrong, they are made to work harder which is hazardous and detrimental to their health. Our country has a huge population of child labour.

 

Introduction

Child Labour is a critical problem in countries like India because already it is a developing nation and its future citizen are made to enter into working life at an early age during the times of their personality development and formation.Some people believe that they start earning at an early age ( which would make them financially sound, and inculcate the habit to work as well as accept their situation), but forget that their future is at a very high risk as they are deprived of basic knowledge and education because of which they will be unable to meet the world at parallel pace in the later stages of their life.In general consideration, a child is considered as below 14 years of age who is made to work forcefully or without his will or proper knowledge of the consequences of his work.This research addresses the impact of education in prevention of child labour.

 

Reasons for Child Labour

There are several reasons which have costed the lives of children by forcefully making them to work.The primary reason being poor economic condition due to which these children are left with no option apart from working to earn two square meals daily.To meet the basic needs of survival , these children are forced to serve as labour. Education becomes tertiary or of no importance and existence in their lives Also due to lack of education, the families get trapped in debt web and these children to lessen the burden of family keep working and earning.Many people feel that availing child labour is cheap, inexpensive, easy to hire and exploit(as they are not aware of their rights ) , promote it. Also market demands more for unskilled labour, therefore the burden on these children increases.The situation and society is responsible for the existence of labour specific category as “ Child Labour”.

 

Consequences of Child Labour

Generally the main reason of Child Labour is to eradicate poverty, but unfortunately the major consequence of child labour is poverty. Since children continue to work, do not seek education, hence economic status remains constant or deteiorate with time. The another major negative impact is poor mental development, physical development and overall personality development is weak.   Also these children continue to face harassment, sexual exploitation. They remain unaware of their basic fundamental rights, which is getting breached. Since the condition is challenging and risky for them, their life shortens. They never realise about their existence, and about the wide world since they are made to work, and henceforth develop no future expectations. The country having large population of child labour will definitely in future pay a very high cost of it and will have to bear losses.

 

Laws persisting to prevent child labour

There are certain laws which are implemented to prevent the abuse of children abd protect them from child labour. The Mines Act, 1952 prevents children from working or being present wherever mining is going on.The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 mandates no child below 14 years of age shall be engaged in hazardous occupation.

 

Impact of education on child labour

With the awareness and education, people are becoming mature towards the sensational issue of child labour. Also with the strict laws in function, people refrain from employing children into their businesses. The impact of education majorly is that is has helped people think beyond their greed and needs, all about the future of the nation. Considering which, educated people promote children to attend school Atleast to gain primary education. With the various supporting government schemes to prevent child labour, educated segment has helped to avail these schemes to the needy ones, It is forsure that with education, people will start thinking about the importance of progress of the nation and securing future, for which people will prefer having a category of child labour.

 

Conclusion

Education leads to progress. Education is the key to awareness. Therefore, the impact of education will always lead to betterment of nation. With rising number of educated people, they are understanding the risk and issues associated with child labour and are not promoting it.Education has bought a very positive impact on the citizens who are no more into personal greed of getting their business completed, rather are now thinking about the well being of the nation.