India: A study of the use of education in India as a tool to fight child labour

Stella Rössborn

Peace and Conflict studies C General thesis May 2009

ABSTRACT

This thesis is a case study which concerns the factors affecting the role and possibilities of education in a society. The aim was to point to factors apart from economic development, as this seems to be insufficient in explaining the failure or success of education.

Child labour is discussed as an example of a social issue closely interlinked with education, and often fought with education. This thesis presents a perspective on the relation between education, child labour, and economic development, focusing on the views and attitudes which affect the scope and efficiency of education as a tool in the struggle against child labour.

India was chosen as the subject of this case study as it is a country with high rates of illiteracy as well as child labour. Another interesting aspect is the economic development of India and the fact that this recent development has done little to improve the social development of the country. The empirical data is based on interviews with seven NGOs working with education in the New Delhi area and U.P.

The interviews were mainly based on Kvale’s idea of the conceptual interview; investigating perceptions and views. My aim with these interviews was to gain a deeper understanding for the work and perceived purpose of these organisations and for the obstacles they encounter. My ambition was that these interviews would provide me with a perspective on how education is viewed in India and how these views affect the implementation of education in relation with child labour.

In the theoretical framework, an overview was presented of the existing theories which explain failing education and child labour, containing a discussion on the ideas of the importance of education either for the individual, or public good.

The theoretical framework also presented ideas on the causal relationship between firstly economic development and education and secondly, poverty, education, and child labour. Some theories concerning access to education is also included in the theoretical framework.

In this thesis it has been found that education in India is more valued by parents and children than before and that the understanding of its importance is increasing. Education is found to be a useful and highly valued tool in fighting child labour.

However, this tool is very limited in India, by lack of quality and implementation, a failing legislation, but also a lack of responsibility and accountability. In this thesis, I argue that these issues are all symptoms of a framework of ideas and perceptions concerning education and child labour. This framework gives the explanations and excuses needed to treat the symptoms poorly, merely reinforcing the true cause, which is a set of perceptions limiting education and enabling child labour.