Education, conditions of children and child labour: a study on the role of non-governmental organizations in Bangladesh and Nepal

Abstract

This study is an investigation into the role of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in education of child labourers in Bangladesh and Nepal. It is guided by semi-structured and structured interviews as well as observations and analyzing texts and documents. It analyzes diverse approaches of NGOs in education sector in improving the living conditions of child labourers. It also analyzes to what extent the NGO approaches fit with the broader national goals of education sector development. The data used in the study were collected from a total ten NGOs in Bangladesh and Nepal during the fieldwork in 1999. A total 100 cases of child labourers was gathered during the fieldwork. Sociological theories of education have been used for this study to shed light on educational possibilities of child labourers. I find resistance theory and particularly the work of Paulo Freire as central to explain educational possibilities of child labourers in Bangladesh and Nepal. Extensive literature review and empirical data are used to explain historical developments and contexts of child labour and primary education, conceptions of childhood, role of NGOs in development in general and education sector in particular in Bangladesh and Nepal. Children’s ‘agency’ has been given importance in the study to give children’s own perspective on their work and education. The study reveals that it is possible to educate child labourers even under poverty and hardships if the needs and contexts of child labourers are taken into account when designing educational projects/programs. It also reveals that individual NGO projects may help children to improve their capability to cope with their situations. However, lack of linking of NGO work on education with the work of other actors is an impediment in achieving maximum impact. One of the conclusions reached in the study is that cooperation and synergy between education projects/programs of NGOs and government is a must to have maximum positive impact on living conditions of child labourers and achieving the national goal of ‘Education for All’. There is a need for both NGOs and governments of developing countries to reconsider some of their policies on education sector to reduce child labour.