Women Rights in Present Day Scenario..a Preface

I have great satisfaction in introducing this nationwide evaluation study of the functioning of the National Child Labour Projects (NCLPs) to the policy makers, academicians, government functionaries, NGOs, international agencies and all those who are engaged in the task of prevention and elimination of child labour. This evaluation study was initiated by the V.V.Giri National Labour Institute at the instance of and with the financial support from the Ministry of Labour, Government of India. Prior to the launch of the evaluation, a brain storming session was organised to discuss the sample universe, sample size and the methodology to be adopted for the study. This was attended by most of the collaborating agencies as well as by the Labour Ministry officials. The format of the questionnaire was also discussed, broadly agreed and adopted. In many ways, it is one of those rare efforts which is marked by a complete understanding and harmony of purpose and objectives among all collaborating agencies.
The study, which has been conducted and completed within a record time of four months, is an excellent example of cooperative endeavour among a number of institutions and organisations from different parts of the country. It was ambitious to undertake such a massive evaluation study as it encompasses fifty NCLP districts out of a total hundred and located in thirteen different states. The motivation, tenacity and commonality of purpose of the research teams, despite their belonging to divergent organisations helped us to complete the task without obstacles. For all those who participated in the evaluation, the ultimate motivation was the desire to put an end to the evil of child labour. This approach has added special value to this study.
The evaluation both in terms of spread and sample size (it covers 524 out of 1976 NCLP schools) is indeed convincingly representative. The varied experiences of the collaborating agencies which have been brought into this study, the area specific data and idiom, and the scientific analysis make the report immensely useful and valuable. The parameters of evaluation which were used separately for the NCLP schools and Societies include attendance, stipend, nutrition, infrastructure, course material, teachers’ training, teacher-parent interaction, mainstreaming, vocational training etc. on the school side and composition of societies, frequency of their meetings, staff strength, awareness generation, community participation, convergence and monitoring system etc. on the society side.
I am grateful to the evaluation team for this report presenting an assessment of the achievements as well as the constraints faced by the projects. The report also offers specific recommendations in a number of areas both for NCLP Schools and the Society itself to strengthen their present activities and to formulate future strategies for a more meaningful intervention.
A large number of individuals and organisations have put in their efforts and contributed to the successful completion of this study. Much that I will like to acknowledge their contribution individually, the constraint of space restricts me from that. However, I must place on record my profound gratitude to Shri Vinod Vaish, Secretary, Labour, Government of India, for his constant guidance and encouragement. I will also like to thank Ms. Uma Pillai, Additional Secretary, Shri K. Chandramouli, Joint Secretary and Ms. Preet Verma, Director for extending their unstinting support and offering valuable suggestions in this endeavour. I will like to express my heart felt gratitude for all the agencies who were our partners in carrying out this evaluation study and without whose commitment and dedication, the task would never have got completed. I must wholeheartedly thank and richly compliment my colleagues in the Institute, both academic faculty and administrative and publishing staff, particularly the members of the NRCCL, who through their hard work, sincerity and devotion have completed this challenging task of evaluation successfully and brought out this report.
This evaluation study, I trust, would go a long way to strengthen the functioning of the existing Project Societies and work out action plans for improved future programmes of similar kind. It is hoped that the day is not very far when every child of the country will be attending schools and nothing will stand between him or her and the school, neither poverty nor deprivation, neither parental indifference, nor societal apathy.