Child Right, Child Labour and Education : A Community Based Assessment

Child Right, Child Labour and Education : A Community Based Assessment
(A Study on Dhankut of District Bahraich, U.P.)
Dr.D.K.Singh,
Dept. of Social Work,
Lucknow University,Lucknow
Dr. Alok Chantia,
Dept of Anthropology,
SJNPG College,Lucknow
Key Words: Child Right, Child Labour, Education, Dhankut, Culture
Abstract:
Though child is the foundation of society but society is least concerned with child rights.
Childhood is being neglected in various ways by denying them basic necessities of life
and forcing them to work to earn their livelihood. It is well documented by various
scholars that level of education of children is very poor. At primary level the drop out
rate of children is very high. As education is concomitant of other rights the lack of
education leads to violation of various human rights such as right to life, liberty, leisure
etc.
Dhankut is an endogamous group of district Bahraich, U.P. living in Dhankuttypura with
a small population of 2687 (2001, Census). Cross cousin and parallel cousin marriages
are their queer characteristics. Poverty and illiteracy is their main problem. It is a non
agricultural group. Though they fulfill all the characteristics of a tribe but have not been
yet recognized as either SC/ST/OBC. Almost 50% of their population (1368) comprises
of children.
It is an exploratory cum descriptive type of work carried on in March 2007. 300
respondents, both male and female above the age of 18 years were randomly selected for
the purpose of present study. The findings revealed that 70% respondents are of the view
that Dhankut children are being exploited. 90% think that poverty is the main cause of
child labour among Dhankut.87% think that education alone cannot eradicate poverty.
82% think that Government policies are responsible for child labour.79% think that
identity crisis due to non recognition of their caste is also responsible for child labour.
76% think that survival is more important than education. The present study reveals that
identity crisis, poverty, illiteracy, problem of survival, poor Government policies are
responsible for poor level of education and hence for child labour which ultimately
results in violation of child right .