“Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children” – Walt Disney.
Education. Education. Education. It is crucial factor in ending the exploitation of children. Children who go to school are less likely to be involved in hazardous or exploitive work. Education is also the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. According to UNICEF, for every year of quality education a child receives, their adult earning potential increases by a worldwide average of 10%. Also, if children are educated about their rights and what they can and cannot do, more children will become confident. This will encourage child labourers to stand up for themselves and be less intimidated by their employers.
One major problem affecting the goal of achieving universal primary education is the governments unwillingness and/or inability to provide this education for poor children. The children in greatest need are those living in rural areas and in city slums and shantytowns.
School in South AfricaSchool in Guatemala
School in Pakistan
School in China
Around the world, evidence has shown that poor families are willing to make sacrifices to send their children to school when it is economically and physically acceptable, as cost and distance can be major obstacles. With their children in school, these adults and other unemployed people can take their places in the workforce. Children can only prosper from education.
Child Labor 