Stop Coming to School

Every year, June 12 is observed as World Day Against Child Labour. On this day, many NGOs and social activists organize events to raise awareness about child labour and its harmful effects. However, efforts to end child labour extend far beyond just this one day. Many people dedicate their lives to eliminating this issue from our society. They consistently identify instances of child labour and work tirelessly to help these children return to their studies.

The government has taken a strong stance against child labour by passing laws to condemn and prohibit the employment of children. Additionally, they have implemented several initiatives, such as providing mid-day meals, ensuring free education up to class 8, offering free bus passes, and supplying free books, uniforms, and bags. These measures aim to encourage students to continue their education without the burden of financial barriers, as poverty is one of the main reasons children end up in labour.

Main Reasons for Child Labour

According to the NGO "Save the Children, India," there are several reasons why children are forced into work. The main reasons are poverty, family background, and adverse circumstances. Each child who becomes a labourer has a unique story about why they had to quit their education. Let me share one such shocking case study.

A Shocking Case Study

A month ago, I met a boy I’ve known for over ten years. Although we hadn’t spoken in a while, I was surprised to hear that he had dropped out of school in 10th grade and was now working as a helper in construction. This boy comes from an economically poor family living in a rented house, struggling to meet daily needs.

When I spoke to him, he mentioned how much he wanted to continue his studies. His mother expressed the same desire, offering to support him financially so he could resume his education. I decided to encourage him to go back to school and asked why he had stopped. His answer left me shocked and angry.

He had been studying in a well-known government-aided school in Erode. After his first midterm exam, his class teacher called him aside and told him that, due to his poor performance, he shouldn’t return to school. The teacher suggested he should work and help his family instead. This wasn’t just happening to him; several of his slow-learning classmates had been told the same thing.

To verify this, I spoke with another student from the same school, who confirmed that this was a common practice. Every year, five to ten students drop out due to pressure from teachers. If a student refuses to leave, the teachers increase their workload and even call their parents to complain, creating undue mental stress. This pressure often leads the student to eventually quit.

The reason behind this is that the school cares more about maintaining a high pass percentage to protect its reputation and attract more admissions, rather than focusing on the future of the individual students. In such cases, the school’s priorities are misplaced, and students’ futures are sacrificed for the sake of the institution’s image.

Why We Need to Stop Child Labour

The reason why the government and many NGOs are working so hard to eliminate child labour is because it leads to long-term societal problems such as poverty, unemployment, sexual abuse, health issues, and the spread of superstition.

Today's children are tomorrow’s leaders. We need to ensure they grow up as educated, skilled, and empowered individuals, not as illiterate, impoverished, and weak people. A child is meant to learn, not to earn.

Illiteracy is the root cause of many injustices in our society. Many NGOs and social activists are working tirelessly to get children back into school, but there are still schools and teachers that harm the lives of many students, perpetuating evil in society.

What You Can Do

Have you ever met a student who dropped out of school? If you encounter anyone in the future who has left their education behind, take a moment to encourage them to return to their studies. Education is the weapon we can use to fight the evils in our society.

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Article by: Daniel Justine