Over 132 million children aged 5 to 14 work in agriculture - up to 70 per cent of all working children. In recognition of the fact that little or no progress has been made in eliminating child labour in agriculture, this year June 12 was designated the Teachers' and agricultural workers' unions join forces to demand rural education for all
For millions of rural children quality education remains just a distant dream. Figures from Education For All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report 2007 show that the children most likely not in school or to drop out of school live in rural areas and come from the poorest households. Data from a number of African countries looking at 10 -19 year olds suggest that poor or rural children are ten times more likely to drop out than urban or richer children.
This backs up earlier findings of the 2006 Millenium Development Goal (MDGs) Report which stated that whilst progress is being made in improving access to primary education, there are disparities in progress, and that the poorest, often those in rural areas, were being left behind. The report stated that “High rates of poverty in rural areas limit educational opportunities because of demands for children’s labour, low levels of parental education and lack of access to good quality schooling”.
