The human rights issues related to right to education of the children of migrant labourers in Kerala

This study attempts to investigate whether the constitutional provisions related to right to education, and the other human rights of the children of migrant labourers in Kerala are safeguarded. The main objectives and focus of the present study are: to study the levels of enrolment of the children of migrant labourers in schools; to find out the dropout rates of children of migrant labourers in schools; to study the levels of enrolment of the children of migrant labourers in Higher education; to study the living conditions of the migrant labourers; to analyse the economic state of affairs of the migrant labourers and to study the cultural dilemma faced by the children of migrant labourers. The study found that the literacy level of the DML children in their native states (97.1%) is better, compared to the national standards, and literacy of DML children living in Kerala (83%). The shifting of employment of parents and language problem hinder the school enrollment of DML children in Kerala. The governmental programmes for promoting education, higher income level of the DML parents in Kerala, involvement of the local government bodies, NGO’s etc. are the major factors which contribute to this higher level of literacy and school enrollment of the DML children. With a more effective implementation of SSA programmes, the literacy level of DML children in Kerala can be increased to the level of their counterparts in their native states. The study found that there are higher dropout rates among DML children in Kerala (13.8 %) compared to the DML children in their native place (7.8%). Financial problem is a major reason for dropouts in both the cases, whereas in Kerala, the shifting of places employment of parents is also a major reason for dropouts. Except a few wandering here and there most of the school dropout children go for some labour to support their family. In both the above cases they are child labourers. This is a very serious violation of their human rights. Lack of awareness or interest of the parents is a reason for this. Though the objective of hundred percent education of the children between the age of 6 and 14 is not so far achieved, the above data generally gives a positive depiction of the education scenario of the children of the DML in Kerala. This indicates that National Policy on Education (NPE) and the attempts for the Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) by extending education to the disadvantaged sections of children in India appears to be successful.