Maharashtra govt announces education and employment scheme for Vidarbha's child workers

The Maharashtra government has announced a primary education and employment programme to educate more than 30,000 child workers in Vidarbha's Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts. UNICEF will provide Rs 90 million to implement the scheme.

Chandrapur and Yavatmal were selected in accordance with UNICEF's policy to provide education and employment to areas with a large concentration of child workers. The number of drop-outs among Adivasis in these two districts is above the state level -- between 27 and 30 per cent. The children drop out of school to support their families financially.

In the first phase of the project, children belonging to the 6 to 14 age group will be provided with education opportunities. The school timings will be adjusted according to the convenience of the child workers. In addition, the schools will be located close to the children's homes or workplace.

Efforts will made to ensure better attendance, securing of good grades and useful skills. The emphasis will be on lowering the dropout rate at these schools. According to Bhau Gawande, vice-chairman of the primary education department, more than 15,971 students have dropped out of schools in Chandrapur alone. The same dropout rate prevails in Yavatmal.

A detailed survey of the two districts will be completed by August 10, after which the state government will submit a report to UNICEF. The government is keen on implementing the programme from the next academic year.

Compiled by Prasanna D Zore from the Marathi press