Photo : BSS

By Al-Amin Shahriar

BHOLA, July 2, 2026 (BSS) - Eradicating poverty and ensuring access to education are essential to eliminating child labour in Bangladesh's coastal areas, as economic hardship continues to force thousands of children out of classrooms and into hazardous fishing activities in Bhola.

Despite government support through stipends and free textbooks, many children in the district's riverine char areas are compelled to work to help their families survive. 

Instead of attending school, they accompany their parents to the Meghna River, where fishing has become a way of life from an early age.

Twelve-year-old Tanzil is one such child. Forced by poverty to leave school after Class III, he now spends his days fishing and selling fish with his father to support his family of six.

The situation is equally alarming for girls. In Dhal Char, 14-year-old Rabeya said she was married off at the age of 13 because of poverty and is now the mother of a child, while suffering from malnutrition. 

Many girls in the coastal chars face early marriage, depriving them of education and exposing them to serious health risks.

Teachers, fishermen and fisheries officials said poverty and lack of awareness often lead parents to send their children to work instead of school.
 
Headmaster Md Monir Uddin of Kalikirti Natun Government Primary School in Shibpur Union of Sadar Upazila in Bhola said several students regularly accompany their fathers to the river and attend classes only occasionally before examinations.

According to the Bhola District Statistics Office, the district has 526,364 children aged between five and 17 years. 

Of them, 46,846 are working children, including 23,160 engaged in hazardous labour. 

Although there is no official data on child fishermen, fisheries stakeholders estimate that around 36,000 children are involved in fishing in  the district.

District Fisheries Officer Iqbal Hossain said there is no accurate database on child fishermen. Although boat owners are instructed not to involve children during fishing ban periods, many continue to use them because children are not subject to imprisonment or penalty for violating the restrictions.

Civil Surgeon Dr Md Moniruzzaman warned that fishing is highly risky for children, exposing them to excessive sunlight, physical strain and long-term health hazards while hampering their physical and mental development.
District Primary Education Officer Md Aminul Islam said efforts are underway to improve school attendance through regular awareness meetings with parents and to identify children who have dropped out of school.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman said the government has already launched various programmes to protect children and reduce child labour in the coastal region. 

However, he stressed that child labour cannot be completely eliminated from coastal areas unless poverty is reduced and educational opportunities are ensured. 

Rahman also called for a united effort by people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, to safeguard the rights and future of children.