Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal School for Rehabilitation of Child Labour

 

International Labour Organization (ILO) through its International Program for Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) conducted a survey in 1996, which indicated 3.3(m) children between the ages of 5-14 years who were engaged in hazardous child labour in Pakistan. Child labour is another issue where state intervention has become necessary in the context of the rights of the child. The National Policy and Plan of Action on Child Labour focus on the immediate elimination of worst and most hazardous forms of child labour. Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal School for Rehabilitation of Child Labour have been established countrywide since 1995. Children between the age of 5-14 years are weaned away from hazardous labour and enrolled in these centres where they are provided free education, clothing, footwear and stipend as well as subsistence allowance to their parents. Present strength of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal School for Rehabilitation of Child Labour centres is 159 (Punjab - 73, Sindh - 37, Khyber Pakhtunkwa + FATA - 24, Balochistan - 14, ICT/AJK & N.A - 11). At present 17,871 students (Male & Female separately) are benefiting from primary education in these centers.   

Objectives

aa  Wean away children from the hazardous child labour environment 

aa  Impart primary education to them in conducive class room environment  

aa  Afford opportunities for secondary and higher education to bring them into the mainstream of social milieu

Enrolment Criteria

aa   Existence of hazardous industry / bonded labour in following categories:-

aa  Brick-kiln, Carpet, Mining, Tannery, Construction, Glass Bangle, Domestic Work, Begging, Agriculture

aa  Availability of 120 Children up to the age of 8 - 14

aa   vailability of Child labour for five years

aa  Recommendation of Prov. / Reg. Labour Department and Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis guidelines

Salient Features

aa  Standard students strength of a centre is 120.

aa  Daily stipend @ Rs.10/- on attendance basis is paid to each student through the parents accounts  

aa   Parents receive subsistence allowance @ Rs.300/- per month as wage compensation

aa  Primary level syllabus is taught in 4 years through informal education head of his educational institute

aa   Summer vacations and local holidays are not observed

aa   19574 have passed out and 11858 have been admitted in Government schools for higher education

aa   Rs.4100 per annum are spent by PBM for further education of the passed out students i.e. Rs.1200/- per annum as education stipend, Rs.500/- for purchase of books & stationery and subsistence allowance for the parents @ Rs.2400/-

Achievement

aa  Recently 19888 trainees are benefiting from training in these schools, whereas 190222 trainees have been passed out.