An awareness session conducted by Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Mr Jone Usamate and his team has enlightened and empowered the members of Mudu village located on Koro Island to address child labour issues in the community.
Village spokesperson Mr Tevita Vunileba said, “The issues discussed here today have been of great benefit to our community. This will be further discussed in our village community meeting to build more understanding and knowledge within the families and community as a whole.”
During discussions the Minister highlighted that child labour hinders children’s development and deprives them from receiving proper education.
“A more concerted effort is required to resolve the issues of child labour from the country. I would like to encourage communities, families, religious bodies and all members of the public to report all identified child labour cases to the Ministry,” Mr Usamate said.
The Ministry has formed inter-agency committees around the country to collaboratively work to remove children engaged in any form of child labour and admit them into schools.
“With the assistance from inter-agencies the Ministry has managed to resolve 171 child labour cases since its inception in 2011,” Mr Usamate said.
As part of the tour, the Minister also visited Nakodu Mudu Primary School to donate new library books.
School head teacher, Mrs Mereoni Batikavakava said the donation was a timely contribution as the school was in need of new set of library books.
“These first eight years of school is the foundation of learning, hence, we encourage students to engage themselves into reading more through our school library programs, to broaden their knowledge and prepare themselves for further education.
“Government has made education free, therefore, parents must take responsibility and give priority to their children’s education,” Mrs Batikavakava said.
School librarian Ms Sheenal Deo said education plays a vital role in a child’s life.
“When students enroll from primary school to secondary, the high school teachers will not face a lot of difficulty while teaching, they will not have to come back to Year One and Two levels of English,” Ms Deo said.
The Minister and his Team conducted similar awareness sessions and consultations in villages throughout Koro and also distributed library books to schools.
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