Education for Children of Migrant Laborers in Brick Factories

The Rotary Club of Bhaktapur organized an awareness and interaction program focused on improving access to education for children of migrant laborers working in brick factories. The program was conducted under the theme “Empowering Migrant Children through Education”, highlighting the shared responsibility of brick factory owners, Rotary clubs, and social organizations in supporting these vulnerable children.
Facts & Figures:
Location: Gwakhancha Restro ,Bhaktapur
Speaker: RTN. Bimal Lal Shrestha, RC Patan Durbar Square, Executive Advisor – KOPILA Nepal, Former Director – BPEP, Ministry of Education
Special Guest: RTN. Krishan Prasad Awal, President, Nepal ITTA Uddhyog Mahasangh
Participants: Brick factory owners, Rotary members, and stakeholders from Bhaktapur area
Budget: NPR 5600 for logistic management
Beneficiary Profile - Primary beneficiaries include brick factory owners of the Bhaktapur area, who play a key role in facilitating education support, along with indirect beneficiaries being children of migrant laborers working in brick factories.
Impact/Outcome:
The program created a strong platform for dialogue between brick factory owners, Rotary members, and education-focused organizations on the urgent need to support children of migrant laborers, who are often excluded from formal education due to seasonal migration, poverty, and lack of access to schools.
Through the presentation by RTN. Bimal Lal Shrestha, participants gained practical insights into community-based education models successfully implemented by KOPILA Nepa, where learning spaces are established within or near brick factory areas. These models provide safe learning environments, basic meals, and dedicated tutors, enabling children to continue their education while their parents are engaged in labor-intensive work. The sharing of KOPILA Nepal’s experience, including its ongoing support to 6–7 children in the Bhaktapur area, demonstrated that even small, locally driven initiatives can create meaningful and sustainable educational outcomes.
The session significantly increased awareness among brick factory owners about their potential role in facilitating education by allocating space, coordinating with NGOs, and collaborating with Rotary clubs. Several participants expressed willingness to explore similar initiatives in their respective factories. Rotary members were also encouraged to take leadership in advocacy, resource mobilization, and partnership-building to expand education support programs for migrant children.
Overall, the program strengthened collective commitment toward inclusive education, promoted social responsibility among industrial stakeholders, and laid the groundwork for future collaboration aimed at improving literacy, reducing child labor risks, and supporting long-term child development and social inclusion in brick factory communities.