Blog#11 Learning in the dump

Kathryn Summers

SOC 202-01

Dr. Sills

April 13, 2011

Learning in the dump

In Mumbai, many children are still not attending schools, even though India’s law supports children from 6-14 being in school. These children instead, spend their day in the dump. They eat and play there, but more importantly they work. The children can make up to $6 a day working in the dump. The dump is attractive to the children because they can make money, and find a variety of food. A “drop in center” was established so the children would have somewhere to go other than the dump. Though the children may not stay for long or come often they “would eventually learn.” When the children are ready to go to school, the drop in center helps them get placed in the right class. Even once the children are in school, there is still a battle. The schools are not adequate, and the students get frustrated and drop out. There are teams that step in when children drop out. These teams encourage the parents and the children about the children going to school. Sometimes the children are moved to a type of boarding school that seems to be very rewarding. The problem here, like in many countries, is that the family relies on the children’s labor. Since the government cannot compensate for all lost wages, they are trying other methods. They try to encourage the children to go to school with rewards like meals and uniforms. A suggestion is that the government makes it illegal for children under 14 to work. Those that are pro-education believe that if one generation gets through school and gets jobs, the benefits will be seen, and education will become more of a priority.

Child labor is a problem that is hard to mend. If child labor is not less of a situation, or completely done away with, schooling will always suffer. If these children do not get through schools so they can get better jobs, it is likely they will not be able to support their future families. If they cannot support their families, the situation will repeat for generations because they will all need their children’s income. Though the government cannot afford to make up for the lost wages, they are taking other steps to encourage schooling. Providing the children with a meal, some money, and some clothing can make up for some they are losing. The government can do more however, as suggested by making it illegal for younger children to work.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10133159