HYDERABAD: Though economic growth, despite the global financial crisis, is robust, childhood poverty still persists among various sections of children in Andhra Pradesh according to The impact of growth on childhood poverty in Andhra Pradesh, a report given out by Young Lives, an international study on childhood poverty. The study was initiated in 2002 across India, Ethiopia, Peru and Vietnam. Young Lives has surveyed the lives of 3,000 children in Andhra Pradesh. The report suggests that inclusive policies be initiated to reduce childhood poverty. Speaking to mediapersons about the report, Young Lives director Dr Renu Singh felt there has to be a better system in place to effectively implement the existing schemes for the underprivileged and to ensure that the schemes reach down to the grassroots. The report states that the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan have helped enrol into schools 98 percent of children in the age group of 8. However, by the time they turn 15, only 75 percent of these children go to school, says the report. It also speaks about an increase in the number of children joining private schools, from 23 percent in 2002 to 44 percent in 2009. Despite considerable economic growth, many children have stunted growth, especially among the ST community. While in 2002, 28 percent of the children spoken to had stunted growth, it was 42 percent by 2009. To address these issues, government departments have to work in co-ordination with each other and involve all the stakeholders in the decision-making process, Renu Singh said.
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