ARTICLE: “TACKLING CHILD LABOR WITH EDUCATION”

Source: http://neatoday.org/2010/06/10/tackling-child-labor-with-education/

More than 200 million children scattered across the globe work in condition intolerable to the healthiest adults. From construction sites in Afghanistan to factories in Albania to farms in rural Morocco to domestic workers in El Salvador, children between the ages of 6 and 14 work long hours in grim, often dangerous conditions. Sadly, millions of these children are exposed not only to exploitation in the labor market, but also are vulnerable to slavery, child trafficking, and prostitution.

Each year, to bring attention to the plight of these children, the International Labor Organization (ILO) marks June 12 as World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL). Drawing inspiration from the 2010 World Cup, the ILO is calling on governments and global organizations to “go for the goal” and tackle the problem’s underlying causes – poverty, weak labor standards, and lack of access to basic quality education – and help eliminate the worst forms of child labor by 2016.

A key ILO partner, Educational International (EI) is a vocal proponent of universal education – a basic human right. As a founding member of EI, the National Education Association believes that it is the combined responsibility of education unions and governments to combat child labor through ensuring access to a quality education for all children.

For 2010, EI, in collaboration with the ILO, has released a new publication entitled “Go For the Goal: End Child Labor,” which details the connection between eliminating child labor and the goal of quality education for all.

The role of individual educators in pursuing this goal, says Jan Eastman, deputy general secretary of EI, is critical.

“Children are more likely to go to school if the education offered is relevant and learning occurs,” Eastman explains. “It takes professionally-trained and qualified teachers, relevant curricula, a healthy, safe and friendly school environment and access to schools.”

Teachers around the world are determined to help tackle the problem of child labor. This short documentary shines the spotlight on successful strategies by the Moroccan National Teachers’ Union (SNE) to prevent child labor by reducing school drop-out rates.

 REACTION: “A Labor of Wisdom”

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Universal primary education is widely recognized as one of the most effective instruments for combating child labor. It is believed that no country can successfully eliminate child labor without first enacting and implementing compulsory education legislation. Schooling removes children from the work force and provides them with an alternative use of their time. But despite the benefits of education, about 20% or 145 million of the world’s children are thought to be working.

There are many reasons why children choose to work instead of attending school. In many countries, including Philippines, primary education is available and a must but sometimes, the quality of education offered is frequently poor and many children and their families view the content as irrelevant to their lives. There are also some that are neither compulsory nor free and in their country, schools are not available to all children. Also, the reluctance of parents to send their children to school is exacerbated by the indirect and direct costs of education, such as fees, supplies, books, uniforms, meals and transportation. In these cases where children contribute to family income, parents may believe that the opportunity cost sending their children to school is simply too high.

Like the relation of hunger and poverty, education and child labor are also interrelated concerns that challenge our society today. We can’t fully eliminate or lessen the rate of working children if we will not have proper access to education which can be made possible with the combined force of education unions and governments. We must remember that quality basic education, particularly at the primary level, not only improves the lives of children and their families but also contributes to the future economic growth and development of the country.

The utmost reason why I chose this article is simply for the reason that it doesn’t only address to a single country but it speaks for the totality of the globe. I’ve watched several documentaries concerning children engaging on strenuous works that even adults have difficulty on withstanding. I am impressed but at the same time troubled knowing the different effects these extreme environments have on their fragile, little bodies. It made me think about all my petty whining and realized how awful I am not appreciating what I have right now given with all these comfort and security that I have. On top of all of these, I am also able to understand how important education is in our lives and that if we invest and put all our dedication in learning, we can in fact gain a remarkable profit which is priceless knowledge and wisdom. It is saddening to think that only some can gain access to it that’s why education must really be useful, accessible and affordable so that eliminating child labor will be effective.

   The hope and growth of a country lies in the hands of children but without enough knowledge and learning that can be gained through education, the future of a country may be at risk and difficult to visualize. We must always bear in mind that education is the soul of the society as it passes from one generation to another and that we must educate and edify our children for they will be the spearhead for the more generations to come.