BY QURAT UL AIN
Engaging children into child labour is one of the major reason for low literacy in Pakistan. Among millions of out of school children, most somehow working as child laborers.
International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour as work that has the potential
to deprive children of their childhood, their dignity and is also harmful for their mental, moral and physical development.
Article 11（3）of Pakistan’s constitution states that no child below the age of 14 shall be engaged in any factory or mine or any hazardous employment.
Unfortunately, more than 12.5 million children (2014-15 survey) aged 14-16 or below are engaged in child labour.
We, as a nation have been unable to realize the gravity of this social issue. If there is some realization at some level, no tangible strategy has been formulated to address it.
The main reason for child labour is economic deprivation of a large portion of our society. Families strained by financial crisis often fail to provide children good upbringing. They cannot afford to send them to school. Rather these malnourished children are sent for labour to contribute family’s income.
These children spur into streets leading a vagrant existence. The policy makers must make sure that every child gets education-at least to a certain level.
There is a need to inculcate in every child-of rich or poor background, human values and awareness about his/her rights and duties as citizen.
It is unfortunate that we are raising a generation of millions of illiterate children who have no future in the 21st century.
(The writer is a student of O- Level at Peshawar Model Girls High School, Warsak Road,
Peshawar)
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