A Study of Problems Connected With ‘Early Childhood Education ‘of The Children of Migrant Labourers in Udupi District, Karnataka

Abstract

According to Indian Constitution, citizens can live anywhere in the Country for their livelihood. With this right, people move from place to place (between States and within the States) as Migrants. According to 2011 Census, in India 453 million migrant population was recorded which forms around 37% of the Country’s population. Out of every five migrants one is a child. Accordingly, there were 92.95 million migrant children in the Country. Experts opine that, this number is more than what Census and NSS forecast. Migrants move from those places where livelihood opportunities are less to those places which offer better livelihood opportunities. As per the National Sample Survey Organization,2007-8, there is difference in the number of migrants between castes which move from place to place. I t is 
observed that in the State of Karnataka,34% of Scheduled Caste persons ,25.7% Scheduled Tribe people, 41% Other Backwards Caste people and 38% Ohers were observed to be the migrant population. One of the major problems of migrant population is EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION of 
their children which is the THEME of this paper. Udupi, one of the Coastal districts of the State of Karnataka has a huge migrant population 
coming from northern districts(Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary, Gadag, Dharwad etc).Migrants come from other States as well(Uttara Pradesh, Madya Pradesh, Jarkhand, Odisha etc). Thirty Anganwadi’s situated near the colonies of the migrants were identified in the district and the study was conducted using a structured questionnaire which  included questions pertaining to the OBJECTIVES of the Study. 
Anganwadi Teachers/assistants, parents of the migrant children were interviewed. Officials from the concerned Departments such as DEPARTMENTS OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT.LABOUR, ZILLA PANCHAYAT, EDUCATION, DISTRICT INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING etc were met and detailed discussions were held to have an incisive look at the problem. 

Data/information was collected pertaining to the following issues mainly: 
a. Status of childhood education of migrant children (pre-primary, mainly) 
b. Reasons for migrant children not using Anganwadi facilities 
c. Socio-economic status of the migrant parents of the children 
d. Problems faced by the migrant children in Anganwadi’s any 
e. Problems faced by the Anganwadi teachers 
f. Other issues 
 The intense field study threw lot of light on all the issues including those suggested in the NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY-2020 and issue connected with FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY AND NUMERACY. Paper has dealtal the issues studied. 
It may be concluded that the EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION of the children of migrant labours, presently is every neglected issue which deserves a better and faster treatment. Owing to the complexity of the issue, there may not be any panacea for the problem. Apart from the successful attempts of the past in certain parts of the Country, new Models may have to be tested and tried. Concerned Departments may have to 
tackle the problem in an integrated manner. When Governmental, Non-e ad Voluntary forces join hands with all required sincerity and honesty, this important problem of migrant children may be handled to a satisfactory level. The country cannot afford to play with the future of the migrant children in the context of their early childhood education.