Protection of Children Affected by Seasonal Migration: A Study in Jalna District, Maharashtra

As per the National Statistical Survey Organization’s (NSSO) 64th round (2007-08), India had 17 million temporary or seasonal migrants. Of these, 1.5 million (9.1 per cent) comprised children aged 17 years or younger. Maharashtra recorded about 0.89 million such migrants, of which 11.3 per cent were children.

Maharashtra, in particular, brings a share of seasonal migrants due to the extent of drought-prone regions compelling people to migrate out after monsoon (October-November) and return during the summer (March-April). This near half-yearly migration impacts the children that migrate along with their families as well as those that continue to live in their villages with other siblings and family members.

Almost all (99 per cent) adult migrants surveyed were aged between 24 to 38 years. The survey found that half of the children aged 10-14 years stayed back in their home villages. Among those children who stayed back, 90 per cent had their grandparents as caregivers.

The study observes that 50 per cent of the seasonal migration of school-age children was rural to rural. Additionally, 18.8 per cent of boys and 17.7 per cent of girls of school age had moved from urban to rural destinations.

There is a gender disbalance observed in the reasons for migration among children aged 15-19 years. More than a third of the boys (36.4 per cent) had migrated for work or employment while over half (53.7 per cent) the girls had migrated for marriage. Children who had migrated for education numbered 20.2 per cent (boys) and 8.5 per cent (girls).

Responses from children stated that during the season of migration, all the children who had migrated with their parents were unable to dedicate a single hour to education, while 67 per cent of those that stayed back were studying for 6-8 hours on a daily basis.

While the children that stayed back could attend school, they had very little help in their studies outside of their teachers and peers. Lack of parental attention often led to inconsistent attendance in school and eventually loss of interest in education. In addition, children sometimes could not source essential study materials due to lack of financial stability deepening their inferiority complex among peers.

The report also studies the impact of covid-19 on the education of migrant children and highlights the challenges of accessibility and affordability of resources to enable online education for these children. While the children that stayed back had ‘somewhat’ access to a smart phone with some time to study, irregular electricity and network made it hard for them to follow the lessons taught online. Children who had migrated had no access to smartphones at all, making them unable to access online education.

Work schedules of parents and distant public health facilities resulted in many children not receiving necessary immunizations on time. Even children who stayed back sometimes did not have family members willing to take them to hospitals when needed. Additionally, the study also found that migrant children faced emotional and psychological issues due to being away from their villages in unfamiliar environments.

The report makes recommendations for national, state, district, and village level policy solutions. At the national level, it recommends the creation of a separate ministry for migrant affairs that would establish interstate coordination, make dedicated provisions in the budget, and oversee welfare schemes. It also suggests the addition of seasonal migrants in the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008.

At the state level, the report recommends creation of a comprehensive state policy for seasonal migrants which covers basic needs such as education, nutrition, health, and protection at work sites.

The study suggests establishment of a child protection system at the village level to ensure their wellbeing. It also recommends policies for improving children's mental health and social wellbeing. The study also urges for the institutionalisation and expansion of the ‘balmitra’ initiative comprising of youth volunteers who are trained by UNICEF and partner organisations on children’s issues.

Focus and Factoids by Ananya Acharya.

PARI Library’s health archive project is part of an initiative supported by the Azim Premji University to develop a free-access repository of health-related reports relevant to rural India.