Child labour is one of the most prevalent problems today, having a huge effect on the global front. We all know that children who are engaged in child labour are exposed to hazardous conditions, violence, ill-treatment and unhealthy life-style. The C.B.S.E has suggested to undertake a student-led, community based projects earnestly to raise awareness in the society and sentise the learners towards the issue of child labour.
As a part of the project “World day against child labour” by C.B.S.E , the students and the teaching faculty of Podar World School, Sherkhi, Vadodara took various measures to spread awareness on the topic, including surveys, poster-making and dramatization.
The children were grouped into 8 groups area-wise. Initially they were asked to make survey questionnaire for residential people and collect their views on this issue and the questionnaire for the children to be interviewed.
The survey was conducted by the groups and the result was that most households knew about child labour yet continued to employ them as their parents (housemaids) believed that girls require no education as they are destined for domestic chores after all. The students also had talks with child labourer’s in the city, most of them living the extremes of poverty and uneducated. Many of them wanted to study but couldn’t do so because of inadequate financial support.
The students learnt about their various day-to-day problems and their surroundings with the help of this survey. To do a bit towards this issue, they decided to devote some of their time to teach them basic literacy. The students were also involved in making Posters and writing messages and slogans on this issue like –“Small hands can handle a pen better. Lend your support to abolish child labour” and “Eradicate child labour and aspire for a better education”.
In order to continuously pursue this grave issue, the students decided to contribute in a humble manner towards the society and they firmly resolved to continue with the mission of “Each one Teach one”.
The Principal also thanked Mr. Raghav Podar, Gem of India Award winner, and Chairman of the Podar schools who gave his whole-hearted support and best wishes.
