Buckle Factories, Minimum Wage, and Child Labor in Band Road Area, Lahore

Nestled in the bustling heart of Lahore lies the Band Road area, a community grappling with economic hardship and limited access to education. Despite progress in reducing the percentage of out-of-school children (OOSC) across Pakistan, the numbers remain alarming. In 2021-22, 26.2 million children were out of school, with 11.73 million in Punjab alone. While the percentage of OOSC has decreased nationally from 44% in 2016-17 to 39%, population growth has led to an increase in the absolute number of out-of-school children. In Punjab, where 39% of school-age children are still out of school, areas like Band Road face significant educational challenges.

The residents of Band Road include Afghans, Pathans, and a small number of Punjabis, many of whom struggle with inconsistent incomes. Fathers often work as daily wage laborers, while mothers either earn a living in buckle factories or as domestic workers. Children, rather than attending school, contribute to their families’ finances. Boys often work as apprentices to electricians or mechanics, while girls help their mothers with housework, make toys, floral bouquets, or assist in buckle-making. For many, formal education remains an unattainable dream due to the high costs of private schools and the distant locations of government schools.

Amid these challenges, the Star School Band Road offers a beacon of hope. Established to provide free education to the children of Band Road, this school currently enrolls 28 students (18 girls and 10 boys). Its flexible schedule, from 3 PM to 6 PM, allows children to attend after their workday. The school’s dedicated teacher, Faiza, reports that the students—especially girls—are passionate about learning, eager to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy.

The Band Road Star School serves as a vital platform for addressing the educational disparities in the area. However, much more needs to be done. Economic disparities significantly affect access to education across Pakistan, particularly in areas like Band Road, where children from the poorest families bear the brunt of educational exclusion.

Efforts are actively underway to lead fundraising initiatives for the Band Road STAR School, ensuring the sustainability of this vital program. These ongoing efforts play a crucial role in providing underprivileged children—especially girls—with access to the education they deserve.

The situation in Band Road reflects a larger national crisis where 10.77 million of the OOSC in Pakistan are at the primary level, highlighting the need for immediate interventions to address both economic and social barriers. By supporting initiatives like the Star School Band Road, we can help turn the tide for these children and build a brighter future for Pakistan.

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