Question : CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS FOR CHILD LABOUR

(a)the number of special schools for child labour are being run through the Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the country;

(b)the fund provided by the Government to the States and NGOs for the education of child labour during the last three years, year-wise, State-wise and NGO-wise;

(c)whether the Government has received complaints about closure of child labour education programme`s school in different parts of the country including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh etc.;

(d)if so, the details thereof;

(e)whether some such fake schools are being run only on papers; and

(f)if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)

(a): For elimination and rehabilitation of Child Labour, Ministry of Labour & Employment is implementing National Child Labour Project (NCLP) and Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Schemes. Under the NCLP Scheme, about 7311 Child Labour special schools are in operation in 266 districts, which are generally being operated by the NGOs. Wherever the NCLP Scheme is not in operation, GIA Scheme is implemented. Under GIA Scheme, funds are directly released to the NGOs to run Child Labour special schools. So far, all the children in the Child Labour special schools under GIA Scheme have been mainstreamed and new schools are to be started in this financial year.

(b): For rehabilitation and elimination of Child Labour, Central Government does not release any fund directly to the State Government. However, funds are released to the NCLP Project Society Chaired by District Magistrate who in turn allocates the funds to the Child Labour special schools. The details regarding funds released under the NCLP and GIA for the last three years is annexed.

(c) & (d): No, Madam. However, one special school was closed in Nalanda district of Bihar due to irregularities and low attendance of children, continuously.

(e): No, Madam, the Ministry has not received any such complaint.

(f): Does not arise.