Recounting Velpur’s story in ending child labour, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) is observed annually on June 12 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to raise awareness.
• Globally, an estimated 160 million children are engaged in child labour, with the majority in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
• India had over 43.53 lakh child labourers (Census 2011), with high incidence in beedi, carpet, and firework industries.
• The Velpur Mandal in Telangana became a child labour-free zone after a 100-day community-led campaign in 2001.
• The model is now a case study at the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute and has been appreciated by the ILO and NHRC. 

Detailed Insights:

• The COVID-19 pandemic worsened child labour by pushing children out of schools due to job losses and school closures.
• India has enacted the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and its 2016 Amendment, which prohibits work for children under 14 and restricts hazardous work for adolescents.
• The Right to Education Act (2009) mandates free and compulsory education for all children aged 6–14.

Velpur model: Implementation Strategy

• 100-Day Campaign: Intensive village-level campaign to identify and enroll every out-of-school child.
• Community Mobilization: Initial resistance (due to rumours and misinformation) was overcome through awareness drives and public meetings.
• Employer Cooperation: Former employers forgave debts  linked to child labour.
• Use of NCLP Bridge Schools: Transitioned child workers into mainstream education via special bridge schools.
• Sarpanch-Government MoU: All village heads (sarpanchs) signed formal agreements with the district administration under Andhra Pradesh Compulsory Primary Education Rules (1982).
• Government Support: Promised to provide school access, infrastructure, and teachers to support universal education.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Child Labour: Work that deprives children of their childhood, dignity, and potential; defined under ILO conventions and Indian law.
• National Child Labour Project (NCLP): A Central Government scheme to rehabilitate child labourers through special schools and vocational training.
• Bridge Schools: Transitional education centers designed to mainstream out-of-school children into formal schooling.
• Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: Provides legal backing for compulsory education for children aged 6–14.

Mains Mock Question:
Community participation is essential for eradicating social evils such as child labour. Discuss the Velpur model as a replicable approach to tackling child labour across India.