Out of School, Forced to Work

India’s schools closed this past March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, instead of studying, Rahul spends his days sorting trash.

In India, as in many less wealthy nations, school closures have put children on the streets. The pandemic that shuttered those schools has also killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide—and left hundreds of millions of others unemployed. Struggling to afford food and shelter, many families have had little choice but to send their kids to work.

Children as young as first-graders are being forced into dangerous jobs that pay next to nothing and are often illegal for kids to perform. Ten-year-olds are mining sand in Kenya. Children the same age are chopping weeds on cocoa plantations in West Africa. In Indonesia, boys and girls as young as 8 are painted silver to look like statues and sent to beg for money.

India’s schools closed this past March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, instead of studying, Rahul spends his days sorting trash.

In India, as in many less wealthy nations, school closures have put children on the streets. The pandemic that closed those schools has also killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide. It has left hundreds of millions of others unemployed. Many families are struggling to afford food and shelter. That is why they have had little choice but to send their kids to work.

Children as young as first-graders are being forced into dangerous jobs that pay next to nothing. Often, these jobs are illegal for kids to perform. Ten-year-olds are mining sand in Kenya. Children the same age are chopping weeds on cocoa plantations in West Africa. In Indonesia, boys and girls as young as 8 are painted silver to look like statues and sent to beg for money.

In recent years, school attendance, literacy, and children’s health have improved around the world. Some governments have been trying to enroll more children in school and to discourage businesses from hiring kids. And aid groups have been working to improve sanitation and access to medical care in less wealthy nations. 

But the sudden explosion in child labor because of Covid-19 could erode such advances, aid workers say, with deep and lasting effects. At least 24 million children will likely never set foot in a classroom again, United Nations (U.N.) officials warn. 

The predictions are particularly grim for India, which earlier this year saw its economy shrink faster than any other major nation. Experts warn that the pandemic could eventually push hundreds of millions of people in India into poverty.

Says Cornelius Williams of Unicef, a U.N. agency focused on helping children: “All the gains that have been made, all this work we have been doing, will be rolled back, especially in places like India.” 

In recent years, school attendance, literacy, and children’s health have improved around the world. Some governments have been trying to enroll more children in school. They have also been trying to discourage businesses from hiring kids. And aid groups have been working to improve sanitation and access to medical care in less wealthy nations.

But the sudden explosion in child labor because of Covid-19 could erode such advances, aid workers say. And it could have deep and lasting effects. At least 24 million children will likely never set foot in a classroom again, United Nations (U.N.) officials warn.

The predictions are especially grim for India. Earlier this year, India’s economy shrank faster than that of any other major nation. Experts warn that the pandemic could eventually push hundreds of millions of people in India into poverty.

“All the gains that have been made, all this work we have been doing, will be rolled back, especially in places like India,” says Cornelius Williams. He works for Unicef, a U.N. agency focused on helping children.

Roughly 1.6 billion students worldwide were affected by school closures last spring—likely including you and your classmates. In the U.S. and other wealthy nations, the disruptions in learning were mostly temporary. Many schools in those places are now back in session, whether online or in person with masks and social distancing. 

But in some countries, school buildings remain shuttered (see map, below). And hundreds of millions of children lack access to computers or the internet, making online learning impossible. 

In India, the government has ordered elementary and middle schools closed indefinitely. (Some public school teachers there are making house calls and teaching in small groups, however.) The national government has allowed high school students to meet with teachers on campus, but many local leaders have forbidden that as well.

Roughly 1.6 billion students worldwide were affected by school closures last spring. That likely included you and your classmates. In the U.S. and other wealthy nations, the disruptions in learning were mostly temporary. Many schools in those places are now back in session, whether online or in person with masks and social distancing.

But in some countries, school buildings remain closed (see map, below). And hundreds of millions of children lack access to computers or the internet. That makes online learning impossible.

In India, the government has ordered elementary and middle schools closed indefinitely. (Some public school teachers there are making house calls and teaching in small groups, however.) The national government has allowed high school students to meet with teachers on school grounds. But many local leaders have forbidden that as well.

India’s leaders say the coronavirus leaves them little choice. In early fall, the country was experiencing nearly 100,000 new infections on some days and was second only to the U.S. in total cases when this issue went to press in November. Indian officials fear students would not be able to maintain social distancing in schools.

“They can end up becoming vectors of the virus,” explains Rajesh Naithani, an adviser to India’s education department.

Children’s rights activists say it is remarkable how little the school closures are being discussed by officials. Speeches by India’s leaders have focused on reopening the economy, not schools. 

India is not the only place where schools seem to have been put on the back burner. Around the world, other parts of society have been allowed to reopen. Children’s advocates question why gyms, public transportation systems, and restaurants can operate—but schools remain closed. 

“Is it because adults . . . have the louder voice—and the power to vote?” asks Williams of Unicef.

India’s leaders say the coronavirus leaves them little choice. In early fall, the country was experiencing nearly 100,000 new infections on some days. When this issue went to press in November, India was second only to the U.S. in total cases. Indian officials fear students would not be able to maintain social distancing in schools.

“They can end up becoming vectors of the virus,” explains Rajesh Naithani. He is an adviser to India’s education department.

Children’s rights activists say it is remarkable how little the school closures are being discussed by officials. Speeches by India’s leaders have focused on reopening the economy, not schools.

India is not the only place where schools seem to have been put on the back burner. Around the world, other parts of society have been allowed to reopen. Children’s advocates question why gyms, public transportation systems, and restaurants can operate, but schools remain closed.

“Is it because adults . . . have the louder voice—and the power to vote?” asks Williams of Unicef.

Poverty and hunger (both on the rise because of the pandemic) increase the likelihood that kids will end up as child laborers. Around the world, the number of people facing life-threatening levels of food insecurity is expected to almost double to 265 million by the end of this year, according to the United Nations World Food Program. 

Many of the most vulnerable communities are concentrated in Africa and South Asia. Especially at risk are nations that were already facing hardship—from extreme poverty and military conflict to climate-related disasters such as flooding or drought.

Poverty and hunger (both on the rise because of the pandemic) increase the likelihood that kids will end up as child laborers. Around the world, the number of people facing life-threatening levels of food insecurity is expected to almost double to 265 million by the end of this year. That is according to the United Nations World Food Program.

Many of the most vulnerable communities are concentrated in Africa and South Asia. Especially at risk are nations that were already facing hardship, including extreme poverty, military conflict, and climate-related disasters such as flooding or drought.

On top of that, some employers are taking advantage of the situation. Even with hundreds of millions of people worldwide out of work and fewer businesses hiring, they are lowering their employees’ wages. As a result, adults who could once support their families are now scrambling to afford their next meal. 

For desperate families, that often means kids must earn money too, U.N. experts say. Many of the parents interviewed for this article say they had little choice but to put their children to work—even though many child laborers earn just pennies a day. 

“We need their wages,” says Mohammad Mustakim Ansari, an underemployed stoneworker in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, whose sons now work at a construction site. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to cobble together two meals.”

On top of that, some employers are taking advantage of the situation. Even with hundreds of millions of people worldwide out of work and fewer businesses hiring, they are lowering their employees’ wages. As a result, adults who could once support their families are now scrambling to afford their next meal.

For desperate families, that often means kids must earn money too, U.N. experts say. Many of the parents interviewed for this article say they had little choice but to put their children to work. They had to even though many child laborers earn just pennies a day.

“We need their wages,” says Mohammad Mustakim Ansari. He is an underemployed stoneworker in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. His sons now work at a construction site. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to cobble together two meals.”

These kids aren’t just missing out on their education—they are also putting their lives at risk. Often, the only jobs they can get are dangerous and harmful to their health. School-age children in poor countries around the globe are doing everything from rolling cigarettes and making fireworks to stacking bricks and hauling heavy construction materials, experts say. Much of this work is illegal for kids to perform. And much of it is hazardous—especially when children lack protective equipment or even shoes.

Saurabh Kumar, a sixth-grader from a struggling family in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, works at a garage at the urging of his father. A few months ago, he tried to unfasten some sharp engine bolts and sliced his hand open.

“I could see down to the bone,” he recalls.

India already had a serious child labor problem before the pandemic—due in part to the country’s high poverty levels, massive population of almost 1.4 billion people, and dependence on cheap labor. Shadowy factories and textile sweatshops often employ children, even though the country formally prohibits kids under age 14 from working in most situations. 

In recent years, authorities had been cracking down on child labor and enrolling kids—especially girls—in schools. India had also taken steps to support its young people, including building a nationwide network of shelters that provided millions of children with food, vaccines, clothes, and some schooling. 

But because of the coronavirus pandemic, most of those shelters are now closed. And workplace inspections to prevent child labor have been disrupted by the virus, Unicef officials say. So enforcement agents are even less able to keep up as the number of children forced into work is growing. 

These kids are not just missing out on their education. They are also putting their lives at risk. Often, the only jobs they can get are dangerous and harmful to their health. School-age children in poor countries around the globe are doing things like rolling cigarettes and making fireworks. They are stacking bricks and hauling heavy construction materials, experts say. Much of this work is illegal for kids to perform. And much of it is dangerous—especially when children lack protective equipment or even shoes.

Saurabh Kumar is a sixth-grader from a struggling family. They live in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. He works at a garage at the urging of his father. A few months ago, he tried to unfasten some sharp engine bolts. He sliced his hand open.

“I could see down to the bone,” he recalls.

India already had a serious child labor problem before the pandemic. That is due in part to the country’s high poverty levels, its massive population of almost 1.4 billion people, and dependence on cheap labor. Shadowy factories and textile sweatshops often employ children. They do so even though the country formally bans kids under age 14 from working in most situations.

In recent years, authorities had been cracking down on child labor. They had been enrolling kids, especially girls, in schools. India had also taken steps to support its young people. The steps included building a nationwide network of shelters that provided millions of children with food, vaccines, clothes, and some schooling.

But because of the coronavirus pandemic, most of those shelters are now closed. And workplace inspections to prevent child labor have been disrupted by the virus, Unicef officials say. So enforcement agents are even less able to keep up as the number of children forced into work is growing.

On a construction site in Bihar, stoneworker Ansari’s sons, Mumtaz, 12, and Shahnawaz, 10, struggle under heavy loads of gravel.

With a grimace, Shahnawaz hoists a bucket atop his head. His skinny legs nearly buckle. He squinches his eyes tight, looking like he is about to cry. Around him stand men three times his age, just watching.

“I get headaches,” Shahnawaz says. “I can’t sleep at night. My body tingles.”

His older brother seems to have glimpsed his new future.

“I fear that even if school reopens, I will have to keep doing this, because of the family’s debt,” Mumtaz says.

“I wanted to join the army,’’ he adds, using the past tense.

Stoneworker Ansari’s sons, Mumtaz, 12, and Shahnawaz, 10, work on a construction site in Bihar. They struggle under heavy loads of gravel.

With a grimace, Shahnawaz lifts a bucket to the top of his head. His skinny legs nearly buckle. He squinches his eyes tight, looking like he is about to cry. Around him stand men three times his age. They are just watching.

“I get headaches,” Shahnawaz says. “I can’t sleep at night. My body tingles.”

His older brother seems to have glimpsed his new future.

“I fear that even if school reopens, I will have to keep doing this, because of the family’s debt,” Mumtaz says.

“I wanted to join the army,’’ he adds, using the past tense.

Mumtaz has good reason to worry. Even when schools do reopen, tens of millions of children won’t go back, U.N. officials predict. Once children drop out and start making money, it is very difficult to get them back to school, many experts say. 

That’s especially true for the poorest children, whose families may remain dependent on their earnings long after classes restart. And it’s not clear how long schools in some countries will remain closed—whether it will be months or even years. 

In this new reality, many children now dread getting up in the morning. It is as if their childhood has suddenly ended.

Mumtaz has good reason to worry. Even when schools do reopen, tens of millions of children will not go back, U.N. officials predict. Once children drop out and start making money, it is very difficult to get them back to school, many experts say.

That is especially true for the poorest children. Their families may remain dependent on their earnings long after classes restart. And it is not clear how long schools in some countries will remain closed. They could be closed for months or even years.

In this new reality, many children now dread getting up in the morning. It is as if their childhood has suddenly ended.

One morning, Rahul, the 11-year-old who wants to become a doctor, stands barefoot in an empty street in Tumakuru, the sun rising over his left shoulder. The empty look in his dark brown eyes seems to say: What am I doing here?

“You ready?” his dad, a lifelong garbage scavenger, asks. Rahul slowly nods. 

Rahul’s father says the work is “not respectable” but that he wants to keep Rahul out of trouble and needs the extra hands.

“He sifts well,” he comments as he watches Rahul scrounge a plastic bottle out of a refuse pit, flatten it, and drop it into his sack. Later, the boy pulls a pair of ratty slippers out of a garbage pile and puts them on. They almost fit.

While Rahul is picking through another dump, a group of boys about his age pass by. They wear backpacks and crisply ironed shirts. They are off to see a private tutor. Rahul rests his bag of crushed bottles on the pavement and stares after them for a moment.

One morning, Rahul stands barefoot in an empty street in Tumakuru. (He is the 11-year-old who wants to become a doctor.) The sun rises over his left shoulder. The empty look in his dark brown eyes seems to say: What am I doing here?

His father is a lifelong garbage scavenger. “You ready?” he asks. Rahul slowly nods.

Rahul’s father says the work is “not respectable.” But he says that he wants to keep Rahul out of trouble and needs the extra hands.

“He sifts well,” he comments. He watches Rahul scrounge a plastic bottle out of a refuse pit, flatten it, and drop it into his sack. Later, the boy pulls a pair of ratty slippers out of a garbage pile and puts them on. They almost fit.

While Rahul is picking through another dump, a group of boys about his age pass by. They wear backpacks and crisply ironed shirts. They are off to see a private tutor. Rahul rests his bag of crushed bottles on the pavement. He stares after them for a moment.

“This is the shame,” says Rahul’s former teacher, N. Sundara Murthy. “Kids who weren’t scavenging for garbage are doing it now. Schools need to be reopened.”

“Rahul’s a good student,” Murthy adds. “His vocabulary is very good. He has a high IQ. He says he wants to be a doctor, and he could do it, if he has the right facilities.”

After a morning of scavenging, Rahul visits his school. The campus is windblown and deserted. The only person around is the caretaker, a woman sweeping the courtyard. 

From a giant ring of keys, she pulls one out and unlocks the sixth-grade classroom. Rahul walks in. His eyes adjust to the dark. Water is pooled on the floor. A map of India, the paint chipping off, covers one wall. To another visitor, this school might seem shabby.

But not to Rahul.

“I really miss this place,” he says.

“This is the shame,” says Rahul’s former teacher, N. Sundara Murthy. “Kids who weren’t scavenging for garbage are doing it now. Schools need to be reopened.”

“Rahul’s a good student,” Murthy adds. “His vocabulary is very good. He has a high IQ. He says he wants to be a doctor, and he could do it, if he has the right facilities.”

After a morning of scavenging, Rahul visits his school. The school grounds are windblown and deserted. The only person around is the caretaker, a woman sweeping the courtyard.

She has a giant ring of keys. She pulls one out and unlocks the sixth-grade classroom. Rahul walks in. His eyes adjust to the dark. Water is pooled on the floor. A map of India, the paint chipping off, covers one wall. To another visitor, this school might seem shabby.

But not to Rahul.

“I really miss this place,” he says.