Migrant labourers in Mancherial are devoid of Education

Mancherial: Children of migrant labourers from Odisha, working at brick kilns continue to be deprived of educational opportunities.

They are forced to remain idle due to lack of schools at work sites and they generally end up helping their parents or doing other tasks. Their parents seek the help of authorities concerned to ensure education to their wards.

“My co-worker’s daughter is good at academics. She could have attended school had the medium of instruction been Odia. She keeps whiling time as there are no institution for the children of migrant labourers,” Bhola Jagannath, a migrant worker from Naupada district of Odisha, told Telangana Today. He is employed at a kiln situated on the outskirts of Vempalli village in Hajipur mandal.

Not only Jagannath, many other parents have realised the need to send their children to school due to the awareness created by voluntary organisations. But, there are no educational institutions in and around work sites. Consequently, the children are losing their right to education and this would leave a negative impact on their lives.

According to district authorities, around 20 kilns were being operated in several villages around Mancherial town. About 100 migrants workers, mostly from Odisha, were engaged in various works at each kiln. Most of them live with their family members in temporary shelters near work sites, for couple of months between December and May. During this period their children are deprived of education.

In order to offer education to the children, schools should be run at work sites with the help of management of kilns. Provision of education to the wards of migrant labourers is mandatory.

They must be provided mid-day meal as well. It is found that some of the owners of kilns are sending their children to local Anganwadi centres. But, the wards are unable to learn because the medium of instruction is Telugu.

District Labour Officer was not available for comment on this despite several attempts to contact the office.