Child labour and pupils’ academic performance; case study: selected primary schools of Nyendo Ssenyange division in Masaka district

Abstract

This study set out to establish how child labour affects pupil’s academic performance in selected primary schools of Nyendo Ssenyange Division in Masaka District. The study was guided by three research objectives these were to establish the causes of child labour in Nyendo Ssenyange Division that affect pupils’ academic performance, to find out how domestic chores affect pupil’s academic performance in Nyendo Ssenyange and to examine the extent to which hawking affects pupil’s academic performance. The researcher used a case study design, the target population was 3230 and the sample population was 126. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling methods. The researcher used self-administered questionnaires to collected data, interview guide and interview schedule were used to gather information from respondents. Qualitative and quantitative research techniques were used in analyzing data. Data analysis was done by statistical packages for social scientists, content analysis and narrative analysis. The findings of the study show that children are subjected to different forms of child labour categalised as domestic chores and commercial child labour. The causes are poverty, breakdown of families, HIV/AIDS, parents’ perception towards child labour and education. The employers seem less concerned about the children’s academic performance and welfare. The local leaders are concerned just as the policy implementers about child labour and pupil’s academic performance but seem to be hindered by limited resources and determination to affect action. The researcher concluded that the major forms of child labour that affect academic performance are domestic chores and commercial informal work and the causes are poverty, HIV/AIDS, parents attitude towards child labour and education and family breakups . The researcher recommends that there is need to strengthen the inspectorate at national and local level financially. Also need to eliminate domestic chores and hawking with such the District probation officer, District labour Officer and Assistant Town Clerk should undertake concerted efforts to strengthen the labour inspectorate at lacol levels.