Migros - Kids school

Migros has always paid special attention to the problem of child labour. This problem cannot, however, be solved by bans alone. The families in the developing world who send their children to work need this money to survive. Migros looked for new ways to solve this dilemma.

With the K.I.D.S. foundation, Migros funds, for example, the construction and running of schools in selected production countries.

A project in southern India to set up an all-day school for at present 896 children with meals and medical care has been implemented. The construction of the school in Tirupur was made possible by the Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund’s “Fund for Specific Help.”

Origins of the school project

In accordance with an agreement signed on the 26th of February 1996 between the K.I.D.S. organization and the Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund, K.I.D.S. provided children working for its suppliers school education or the chance to learn a trade. The children continued to receive their full salaries while only working half days. The rest of their day was spent in school or job training. This phase was ended in 1999 and the funds left over were transferred into the current school project.

The school project

Many articles of clothing sold by Migros are produced in Tirupur. Migros has long required ecological production processes and socially responsible working conditions of its producers. Years ago, forth was put to build a school for the children of the textile workers to give them an education and the chance to live  a healthy and dignified childhood. Public schools are not able to cater to these needs. Badly paid teachers and a drastic lack of funds often make an education impossible. Those who cannot afford private education for their children often send them to work in a factory. To improve the situation, Migros decided to offer an alternative and financed, with their “Fund for Specific Help,” a school for all children from the nearby villages which was free of charge. This school offers good infrastructure, motivated teachers, educational materials, and free transport. The planning and construction of the school took over four years to realize. In 1999 it was possible to open a provisional school in which over 100 children were taught in six classes.

Migros’s suppliers were involved in the project, helping others to help themselves, right from the beginning. An appropriate property was located and purchased. All bureaucratic and construction hurdles were surpassed. On the 11th of December 2000 the first stage was completed. A school with twelve classrooms, a computer room and five classes of children in four different grades was officially opened. Many people had reason to be proud. The manufacturers who were responsible for planning and coordination were beaming. The children sang and danced a special cultural programme they had prepared especially for the event. The parents who were investing great hope in their children’s futures, promised to help them on their way to a better education. Since November 2002 additionally a full-time co-ordinator is placed at the schooling project’s disposal at no cost. Her task focuses on the smooth running of all activities in the Tirupur project. She co-ordinates the project and links the teaching staff with KIDS-Society and KIDS e.V. in Cologne respectively. In order to improve its organisational procedures CEVA consultancy will assist the project as of 2003.