In India, Girl Labourers Quit Work for School

Teachers Notes

Click on the following links for further information about this case study:

Overview

This case study relates the situation for a number of girls in the south eastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh where an organization named the MV Foundation is providing the option of an education rather than agricultural work.

The case study looks at some of the economic and cultural obstacles to girls receiving an education and instead see them being trapped in child labour in rural India.

Level

Lower Secondary

Links with nationally-developed statements and profiles

Main learning areas - Human Society and Its Environment

Objectives

In this exercise, the students will:-

• Learn about the situation of a group of girl children from a village in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.
• Gain an understanding about some of the reasons behind child labour.
• Develop the value of wishing to protect children's rights.
• Become more aware of people in other countries, their problems and aspirations.

Preparation

• Make a photocopy of the case study for each student
• Have an atlas with a map of India.
• A copy of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (see Resources)

Procedure

The primary role of the teacher will be as facilitator for the activities.

The students will first find India on the map and then as a group share their knowledge of India. After reading the case study, they could then break into small groups and discuss a number of questions and undertake a number of activities which should raise their awareness of the situation for female child labourers in India, some of the reasons why this child labour exists and some of the effects of child labour. They should also become aware of some of the steps being taken to overcome child labour.

Resources

1. Three videos are available for loan from APHEDA. There is no charge for the loan, however, there is a   fee to cover postage and handling. All videos are VHS format, and are:-
   - An 18 minute video of Iqbal's story called "The Carpet"
   - A 52 minute video from the ILO called "I am a Child"
   - A 35 minute video entitled "My Life is Mine".

   If you wish to borrow any of these videos, please contact Peter Jennings at
   APHEDA
   Trades Hall Box 3
   4 Goulburn Street
   SYDNEY NSW 2000
   Ph: (02) 9264 9343
   Fax: (02) 9261.11 18
   email: apheda@labor.net.au

2. Copies of a small, 8-page booklet entitled Child Labour in Asia are also available for teachers from APHEDA

3. Copies of a book Child Labour in Asia: Some Perspectives on Selected Countries (1997) are available from Canberra Mailing, which distributes AusAID publications.
   PO Box 650, Fyshwick ACT 2601
   Ph. 02 6269 1230
   Fax 02 6269 1229
   email: books@ausaid.gov.au

4. The UNICEF report State of the World's Children 1997 examined the issue of child labour. Some back-copies may still be available from:-
   UNICEF Australia
   3rd Floor, 303 Pitt Street
   Sydney NSW 2000

5. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This is available from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000) or on the web (click here).

* Further information and resources can be obtained from the
Professional Development Providers.

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