Sindh has reported a concerning surge in child labor, with Qambar Shahdadkot recording the highest rate at 30.8%, according to a recent report by the School Education Department. This alarming trend highlights the growing issue of children being forced into labor across various districts of the province.
Karachi, the provincial capital, has the lowest child labor rate in Sindh, at just 2.38%. However, other districts face significantly higher rates, including Tharparkar at 29%, Shikarpur at 20.2%, Tando Muhammad Khan at 20.3%, Umerkot at 21%, Sanghar at 25.7%, and Khairpur at 9%. Additional figures show troubling statistics for districts such as Hyderabad at 4.5%, Sukkur at 8.6%, and Larkana at 7.6%. These numbers underscore the widespread nature of child labor across Sindh, posing a significant challenge for the authorities.
In January 2024, the former Caretaker Education Minister, Jam Madad Ali Sindhi, voiced deep concerns about the rising number of out-of-school children in Pakistan, which now stands at 25 million. He emphasized the urgent need for parents to enroll their children in schools to address the escalating educational crisis.
The Minister also stressed improving school conditions, sharing an incident where he observed girls studying on the floor in a village. This, he said, highlighted the dire need for better educational facilities to support children’s learning and development.
The report and accompanying statements from officials call for immediate action to combat child labor and improve educational access in Sindh. With targeted interventions and enhanced support for vulnerable communities, there is hope for reducing child labor and ensuring a brighter future for Sindh’s children.
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