Support education Poor education and child labour are the opposite sides of the same coin. But in many countries, especially those where SAPs have led to privatized schools tuition, books and uniform costs make it impossible for parents to send their children to school. It is much easier to monitor school attendance than to inspect factories and workshops. It is also easier to convince parents to send their children to school than to forbid employers to employ children. Most of all, children need schooling that is useful to them they need proof that their schooling will advance their lives rather than simply prevent them from earning money.
Few countries can be proud of the limited resources they put into their children's education.
Governments must make education and poverty alleviation higher priorities. This includes the Canadian government, who has an additional responsibility to make sure that some of our development assistance to other countries supports education. Enforce labour laws Most countries have laws against child labour. An increasing number of countries are taking steps to enforce these laws. Nevertheless, some governments are prepared to tolerate child labour in the belief that it can gain them a competitive advantage.