Education of Migrant Children poses challenge to implementation of Right to Education in Indi

March 27, 2010 - PRLog -- 10 Lakh labor are working in New Delhi with respect to preparation of Common Wealth games in Delhi and none of their children goes to school.  That is the story of millions of migrant families is not very  different  from the  one mentioned. The National Commission on Rural Labour in India (NCRL, 1991) estimates more than 10 million circular migrants in the rural areas alone. These include an estimated 4.5 million inter- state migrants and 6 million intra-state migrants. However, informal estimates put the total number close to 30 million. Studies and field evidence suggests that children accompanying their parents in the 0-14 age group may constitute one third of the total migrant population which is around 6 - 9 million (Smita, 2007: 13).

For example Andhra Pradesh, observations suggest that from Mehboobnagar district about 4-5 lakh people migrate out to the construction sites; 30,000-40,000 people from fishing community migrate to Gujarat and other places for fishing and work in salt pan. Further, 2-3 lakh people migrate from East Godavari to Surat to work in textile industries. There are evidences of Inter District migration of children who go to work in cotton seed farms in Andhra Pradesh.

About 2 lakh people migrate from western Odisha to work in Andhra Pradesh alone (Action Aid 2005). The current estimation of migrant people from western districts of Odisha may touch the 6 lakh mark. The children comprise about 36%, of which 16% comprise of those within the age group of 6-14yrs. They lose out their fundamental right to education as per the recently passed legislation. The women constitute 42 percent of the total migrants (MiRC study 2009). Similarly, the in-migration to Andhra Pradesh from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is estimated around 10-15 lakh (large number of children also migrate with their parents).

Rajiv Vidya Mission in collaboration with Aide et Action South Asia has organized a state level workshop in Andhra Pradesh to bring focus on educational rights of migrant children. Inaugurating the workshop Mr.D. Srinivasulu said that the government should have human approach in identifying migrant communities such as nomadic tribes who land up in urban areas without any shelter. Dr.Mohd. Ali Rafath State Project Director Rajiv Vidya Mission gave a call to public functionaries and officials at lower level to understand the magnitude and complexities of interstate and intra state migration. Currently, except Tamilnadu and Orissa none of the states are proactively taking up the issues related to Migrant children. According to Umi Daniel, initiating seasonal hostels in source area and schools at work sites with provision for mid day meal scheme should be mandatory to ensure all migrant children are covered in India. Ms.Mrudual.V, representing Dr.Reddy Foundation raised serious concerns regarding non inclusion of children below five years in the purview of Right to Education as 20 percent of migrant children belong to this group.  Mr.Murali Child Protection Officer from UNICEF, has suggested for multiple strategies such as initiating seasonal hostels at source areas and schools at worksites to overcome complexities posed by migration of communities.
Mr.Umi Daniel Thematic Head Migration for Adie et Action South Asia surprised at laxity of governments at National level in addressing challenges posed by migrating communities in the light of absence of any coordination mechanism between and among states.
For details contact- Vishy Head Communication Aide et Action at Vishy@aea-southasia.org

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Aide et Action is an international development organization working with a vision that dignity is ensured for all men, women and children through Education- a lever for human development. We are currently working in 26 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and Caribbean. Visit: www.aea-southasia.org