INDIA: The MVF Program

International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor

US Department of Labor

International Labor Organization

IPEC

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Country Map

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Background

Ranga Reddy district:

High unemployment

Very high illiteracy

Whole families in bondage

Few teachers

Poor reach & quality of education

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Objectives

MVF’s goal since early 90s:

Total elimination of child & bonded child labor in district

Strategy of mainstreaming into formal school system

Target group all children from 5 to 14

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Process

Involves 2 different but inter-related processes:

Camp-based bridge course

Community driven home to school process

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Process

Camp-based bridge course:

Ensures children join same age group in formal school within 3-4 months

For children in 12-14 age group, special one year coaching camp

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Process

Community driven home to school:

Community backed

Children of all ages

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Problems & achievements Operation expanded in 3 villages in 1991

to 500 in 1999

85 villages child labor free

All children below 11 in formal schools in more than 400 villages

Nearly 5,000 girls in school

More than 4,000 bonded laborers released

15,000 working children in mainstream school through bridge courses

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Problems & achievements

Over 8,000 trained youth volunteers contribute

Over 1,600 education activists participate

Forum of 1,000 government teachers will continue campaign

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Lessons learned

The camps:

Family dependency on child income broken

Parental fears reduced regarding education

Peer pressure among children in camps to enrol in school

Visible impact against child labor

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Lessons learned

Community driven home to school program

Sustainable change in attitude & action

Withdrawal seen as integral part of sending child to school

Greater appreciation of communities’ major role

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Lessons learned

MVF program applicable where:

In rural & urban areas with formal school infrastructure

Strong local organization

Monitoring can be carried out

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Key conditions for success

Effective community based organization

Motivated staff

Training capability

Organizational capacity in camps

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Key initiatives

Develop strong rapport with community

Demonstrate 1 successful camp

Demonstrate full enrolment in 1 village through community support

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child LaborUS Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC

Replicability

MVF model applied in Andhra Pradesh & several states and cities

IPEC – International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor

US Department of Labor

International LaborOrganization

IPEC