• Dr Seema Das

ABSTRACT The complexity of the problem of child labour and the skewed strategy with which the Indian state has tried to combat it has tilted the situation in favor of its perpetration rather than elimination.Myron Weiner in his classic work ‘The Child and the State in India: Child Labour and Education Policy in comparative Perspective’ [OUP,1991]shows how child labour was eradicated world wide by bringing in compulsory education and abolitionist legislations.In 2016, The Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation [Amendment ]Act banned children below the age of 14 years from working in any occupation in India. They are now required to attend schools under The Right To Education Act,2009 .The state policy on eradication of child labour based primarily on the twin strategy of compulsory primary education and total legal ban on its incidence has not been successful in the state of Bihar. The multiple layers of causative factors embedded in the context of penury as well as society need to be questioned as state strategy seems inadequate to abolish child labour.This paper argues that the role of caste and patriarchy is deep-rooted in keeping child labour alive in Patna district. As a result, universalization of elementary education is partially successful.A violation of child labour laws and perpetuation of the incidence of child labour is endemic in Patna district of Bihar.

child labour, state, universalization of primary education,Prohibition and Regulation Act, RTE Act , caste, patriarchy, poverty.

"Eradication Of Child Labour And Education: Lessons From Fieldwork In Patna District Of Bihar", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 8, page no.c600-c609, August-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2308268.pdf

"Eradication Of Child Labour And Education: Lessons From Fieldwork In Patna District Of Bihar", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 8, page no. ppc600-c609, August-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2308268.pdf