The Day I Taught Them Child Rights

 

The social studies text book of six graders has a couple of images showing children working in factories and construction sites.

Source: VI Text Book for reference only

I included those images in my learning packet to trigger some serious thinking.

I asked the class a series of questions:

What does this make you think?

What are these children doing?

Why are they doing this?

Should they be doing this?

The response was a strong “No Mam”. The class agreed that the children should not be doing this and discussed about their background and economic status that compelled them to do what they were doing.

In order to make them think about this situation with more compassion instead of just reason, I asked them if all of this becomes fair if they know that the children were engaged in labor to support their families, to reduce parent’s financial burden or settle old family dues.

The No came even more strongly this time. The class was appalled by the idea.

I thought this was a moment worth capturing in my stories of hope series when I received a response to my final two questions.

What do you think they should be doing at this age?

What will you do or what can you do for a child who you see is working at such a tender age?

I was hoping and expecting to hear student say something like - I will give them money, a few clothes, old books, they should be allowed to play and study in school.

One student abruptly said, “Bring them to zoom Mam”

The learning that day was partially about child rights but more about raw realities – eliminating the perfect blend of innocence and ignorance my students had regarding how the other half – the not so fortunate population lives.

For a zoom class, they need a smart phone. I left my class to ponder on that, for a while.

My biggest hope – they know education is important for them and also for those who aren't quiet there yet!