Keeping Children Out of Mines: The Challenges After Success
PNS
The declaration in 2024 by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) that mica mining intervention villages in Jharkhand were child labour free marked a historic milestone. It signalled not only the success of two decades of sustained efforts but also a new phase of responsibility—maintaining and strengthening this achievement. Over the next two years, the mica belt witnessed both significant progress and emerging challenges in sustaining a child labour-free environment.
Following the declaration, continued monitoring by district administrations and civil society confirmed that children remained in schools and were no longer engaged in mica mining activities. According to official assessments, 100 percent school enrolment achieved by 2024 has been largely sustained through 2026, with no reported dropouts in intervention villages. This stability is attributed to strong coordination between village panchayats, schools, and child protection committees, along with continued awareness campaigns such as “Back to School” and “Knock the Door,” which ensured that every child remained within the education system.
One of the most important reasons behind this progress is the complete halt of mica mining in the region. Mining activities have been effectively banned, and trade has shifted to other regions, reducing opportunities for child labour. Even in cases of suspected illegal extraction, community monitoring and administrative vigilance have ensured that children are not involved. For the first time in decades, schooling has become the dominant norm for children in mica-dependent villages.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. In the early post-2024 phase, sustaining behavioural change within communities remained critical. Many families still live in poverty, and while children are no longer working in mines, economic vulnerability continues to pose a risk of relapse into informal labour in some households. This has required continuous engagement through awareness programmes, livelihood support discussions, and social protection linkages. Though, Jharkhand’s mica sector continues to face issues of illegal mining in cosmetic industries, and child labour, driven by extreme poverty.
Another challenge has been ensuring learning outcomes alongside enrolment. While children are attending school, improving foundational literacy and numeracy remains a priority, especially for those who had previously lost years of education. Teachers and local administrations have had to work intensively to bridge learning gaps created during earlier years of deprivation. On the other hand, children exposed to mica and coal mines need regular health check-ups due to toxic exposure, but there lacks in the mandatory monthly medical inspections in mining and nearby areas.
Despite these challenges, the transformation remains remarkable. Over the last two years, many families have witnessed schooling for the first time in their history. Districts like Koderma have shown improved academic performance, with students achieving strong results in board examinations, reflecting a broader social shift from survival-based labour to education-driven aspiration.
The success of the mica belt demonstrates that eliminating child labour is possible when communities, governments, and civil society act in coordination. Yet it also highlights that declaration alone is not the endpoint. The post-2024 phase has shown that sustained awareness, economic support, and strong monitoring systems are essential to prevent reversal.
In conclusion, while child labour in Jharkhand’s mica mining areas has not returned in the past two years, the achievement remains fragile and must be continuously protected. The challenge ahead is not only to preserve this success but to deepen it—ensuring every child not only stays in school but thrives within it.
By
Dr. Ahmed Raza
Assistant Professor,
Department of Public Administration
MANUU (A Central University)
Gachibowli, Hyderabad – 500032
