Getting to know books

Slum-dweller Mohsin, a student of class II in Primary School Kanya, a small school with 92 students, three teachers, and a headmaster in the city of Meerut exclaims, "I love my school books. I enjoy school. I like studying English the most and I enjoy Math and Hindi too”. "I am very fine” he adds, sweetly flaunting the English he has learnt. One of Mohsin's prized possessions is his school bag; a residence for his favorite companions. “Mohsin joined us in 2014 and he is a sincere student", says headmasterMohommad Naushad.After he completes his school by 12 noon, Mohsin heads to Madarsa followed by Child Tuition Centre where children learn to cope with their regular studies. Mohsin went to Child Care Centre in 2013 and was enrolled in school in 2014.

However, life wasn’t always like this for Mohsin. Prior to 2013, he was a child laborer, employed at a bookbinding unit near his house. Mohsin's father was an asthma patient and hence didn't work. His mother, Kanij earned a living for her family through odd jobs. Their income was meagre to support their large family prompting Mohsin to start earning from a young age. "Mohsin would earn 20 rupees a week and that would suffice for his needs. For me, it was like he was being taken care of.

"Even if there is no money in the house, I will still send Mohsin to school. I will never stop his education,” says Kenji firmly. "Mohsin smiles more often now, he is happier. I want a good life for my child.” she adds. Mohsin’s life has transformed indeed after he quit work. He feels healthier and happier, he has more time to spend with his friends.

"When I grow up, I want to be a police officer!” Mohsin says with his eyes sparkling. "I want to run fast and catch all the thieves. But, I want to finish studying first. Without going to school, I will not become a good police officer”, he adds.

Meerut Child Labor Project was launched in 2013 by World Vision India, an NGO, to facilitate the operation of Child CareCentres where children are counselled, assessed and attempts are made to take them out of jobs. The staff also visits the families regularly to explain the importance of education to them. At the centre, they are also taught basics of subjects. After a year, once the child is ready, he or she is enrolled in school with the NGOs support. Post this, Child Tuition Centres serve as an auxiliary support to children.

Currently, 14 centers cover 3019 children with a total of 21 local teachers to train them. The project has seen a 19 per cent to 39 per cent increase in the functional literacy rate of children who were earlier involved in child labor.