12th June - International Day against Child Labour

Child Labour a threat to Global Education

An estimated 10.5 million children worldwide are working as domestic workers in people’s homes, in hazardous and sometimes slavery like conditions. Latest research from the International Labour Organization (ILO) show that child labour has been made worse in recent times for the reason that some of these children have no solid background, no education and no parental care. In the circumstances, they become street hawkers. They work in the streets during the day, and work even at night in some cases. Such lifestyles and practice is detrimental to the future of our world. There is little wonder therefore, that the future of these children is very dark and bleak.

In the past, children worked with their families, learning skills they would need as adults. But today, children are forced to work for their own and their family’s survival. The money earned by ‘children workers’ has become a significant part of the family income which is a major barrier and excuse these parent create in denying their wards the opportunity of an education.

Such as the cases I encountered in a certain community in Gidan Kwano village Minna Niger state Nigeria where I celebrated the 2014 National Children’s Day. My first hand interview with these kids was an eye-opener where they confessed their parents preferred to buy them hoes for farming rather than books for learning. The major occupation of the people in this rural community are farmers and a farmer you must be no matter your age at least until you are matured enough to make your own decisions. Just as I was talking to some of the students in the little community school in this village I could see some of their peers returning from the farm as late as 4:00pm with their farm implements in hand.

picture source: www.ilo.org

The conditions of some of these children are compounded by the fact that they do not receive any kind of formal education. Because of the effect and consequences of child labour, it is no wonder that it is actually illegal in Nigeria, although the sheer scale of the activity gives the notion that it is legal.

From findings it shows that child labour is associated with poverty and until concrete measures are taken to tackle and reduce poverty, child labour will continue to be with us. Some parents and guardians who push their wards towards paid or unpaid labour do not do so as a matter of preference, most of them usually do so because they have been left with no other choice.
In many developing countries, and palpably in Nigeria, quality education is no longer free. The ‘free education’ available in many local and state governments across the country does not provide the desirable tools for future freedom from ignorance or even preparation for work after education.

As a Global Youth Ambassador – A World at School uniting with my fellow GYAs to solve the barriers of education, suggest that governments must be committed to progress in fundamental problems. These critical areas are provision of easy access to quality education, poverty reduction and alleviation; and availability of social security.

Education advances our shared goals across the many social justice campaigns we collectively

Support, we will not achieve our goals without ensuring every child goes to school. Education is the only acceptable alternative to the discrimination faced by millions of children every day. By including education as a key message in our ongoing campaigns and mobilizations, we can achieve the world we all want to live in.

Sincerely

Nina Mbah

Global Youth Ambassador – A World atSchool