World day against child labour: Plea to check child labour in farms

Lalitpur, June 11:

Lending a helping hand to farm work and domestic chores is a part of Nepali tradition and these kinds of activities do not always harm the growth and development of children.

Household chores help children learn skills, build self-esteem and contribute to income.

Ram Govinda Moodyo Maharjan of Packha tole in Haisiddhi and his family members are busy tilling the field for rice plantation. “Children still help in farm work, but only on their school holidays. It is important for them to learn their traditional skill and give continuity to their culture,” he said.

Those children who do not want to work in fields contribute by undertaking households chores, Ram Govinda added.

Dil Kumar Maharjan, a local of Harisiddhi and administrator at Shree Harisiddhi Higher Secondary School, said: “In my school, students in the lower secondary and primary classes tend to be absent during plantation and harvesting days. Dr Hari Dahal, spokesperson, Ministry of Agriculture, said number of child labourers in the farm sector is unknown. This year’s World Day Against Child Labour, being marked tomorrow, focuses on elimination of child labour in farms. Worldwide, agriculture is the sector where the largest percentage of working children is found.