13:55 | Lima, Sep. 18 (ANDINA).
The Peruvian government is taking action to eradicate child labor by encouraging children to finish school and accomplish their goals, according to Peru's First Lady Nadine Heredia.
"We must eradicate child labor so that our children only focus on their studies; that is an effort being made by the government of President Ollanta Humala, together with the relevant ministries and local authorities," Heredia said on Tuesday.
"We must not allow children to continue working in hazardous conditions, we need them at school, we need strong, well-nourished kids who will be citizens of the future," she said during her visit to the rural town of Santa Maria del Valle in Huanuco region.
To that end, she called on authorities, parents and teachers to work together to end child labor in the country and help students complete their studies.
The first lady recalled that the central government is promoting a number of social programs aimed at improving children's nutrition and education, with the support of well trained teachers and other staff.
For her part, Labor Minister Nancy Laos said that the Huanuco pilot project -launched on Tuesday- aims to increase school attendance and keep students in school as well as benefit 3,200 families, including 4,000 children and adolescents, through the National Program for Direct Support to the Poorest (Juntos) of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion and additional educational services of the Ministry of Education.
(END) NDP/EEP
Published: 9/18/2013