Preventing Child Marriage and Child Labor through Education and Training
The National Child Labor Project (NCLP) in Purulia (West Bengal) is a special school program
run by the Department of Labor to rehabilitate children formerly engaged in harmful factory
and farm work by providing them with education, vocational training, nutrition, and healthcare.
The students, especially girls, are actively engaged (as “child activists”) in the prevention of child
marriage and child labor. With support from UNICEF, the schools in Purulia educate students
about their rights, and teach tools like leadership development, communication skills, and
problem solving.
Of the 93 schools operating under NCLP, 23 have child rights groups. The children have even
begun publishing their own newsletter. For many of these students, this is the only place that
allows them to be children and learn about their rights. Learning in schools has given girls the
confidence and knowledge they need to stand up to their families and provide an alternative to
child marriage. When children know their rights, they are able to challenge child marriage and
focus on their education.
In an effort to restore lost childhoods, NCLP includes many extracurricular activities and
carries that focus on interactive learning through the schooling process. Song, dance, and
theater participation is also encouraged as a means to offer victims a chance to confront and
release their trauma while developing self-confidence. To further incentivize parents to send
their children to school, NCLP provides parents with a small stipend for each child who stops
working and starts attending school.
Sources:
www.unicef.org
The National Child Labor Project (NCLP) in Purulia (West Bengal) is a special school program
run by the Department of Labor to rehabilitate children formerly engaged in harmful factory
and farm work by providing them with education, vocational training, nutrition, and healthcare.
The students, especially girls, are actively engaged (as “child activists”) in the prevention of child
marriage and child labor. With support from UNICEF, the schools in Purulia educate students
about their rights, and teach tools like leadership development, communication skills, and
problem solving.
Of the 93 schools operating under NCLP, 23 have child rights groups. The children have even
begun publishing their own newsletter. For many of these students, this is the only place that
allows them to be children and learn about their rights. Learning in schools has given girls the
confidence and knowledge they need to stand up to their families and provide an alternative to
child marriage. When children know their rights, they are able to challenge child marriage and
focus on their education.
In an effort to restore lost childhoods, NCLP includes many extracurricular activities and
carries that focus on interactive learning through the schooling process. Song, dance, and
theater participation is also encouraged as a means to offer victims a chance to confront and
release their trauma while developing self-confidence. To further incentivize parents to send
their children to school, NCLP provides parents with a small stipend for each child who stops
working and starts attending school.
Sources:
www.unicef.org
