Approach
MV Foundation’s approach is based on a firm conviction that no child works and that all children in the 5-14 years age group must be in school. In other words it recognizes the inextricable link between the program for universalisation of education and abolition of all forms of child labor.
– MVF follows an ‘area-based approach’ as against a target based approach.
– In an area based approach it focusing on protecting the rights of all children and ensuring that all of them attend full time formal schools.
– For those children who are out of school, it draws up specific plans to withdraw them from work and make all arrangements to prepare such children to be integrated into schools.
– For those who are already in schools, it plans to ensure that they are retained in school and continue to be so without any disruption.
– By doing this, child labour is prevented and children’s rights are protected.
Ultimately, the area based approach enables the declaration of ‘child labour free zones’ which would act as an inspiration for all others to join the movement
The outcomes of an area-based approach include:
● The sustained norm within a community becomes ‘no child should work’.
● The school is developed as an institution that takes care of all aspects of a child’s development.
● Community takes ownership of child rights.
● Neighbouring communities change their norms.
● Institutions are sensitized to reduce the barriers to communities changing their norm to ‘no child should work’.
● All children are in schools and enjoy their right to education in the project area.
● The project area becomes a resource centre for all other areas in the country.
These are fundamental beliefs on which the area-based approach is built.
● All forms of child labour can be eliminated
● Parents want a better future for their children.
● Parents are willing and capable of making the necessary sacrifices to ensure that their child does not go to work but to school instead.
● Parents do not need financial incentives to substitute for their child’s income.
● Communities want the norm ‘no child should work.’
● Communities can plan and implement programs to ensure no child works but goes to school
● The State is responsible for providing schools with adequate infrastructure and school teachers and there shall be no setting up of parallel systems competing with the State.
● The State shall make all preparations to receive first generation learners into the school system.
Charter of basic principles for emancipation of child labourers.
● All children must attend full-time formal day schools
● Any child out of school is a child labourer
● All labour is hazardous and harms the overall growth and development of the child
● There must be total abolition of child labour. Any law regulating child work is unacceptable
● Any justification perpetuating the existence of child labour must be condemned.
