Effects of child labour on girl- child education in primary schools: case study Ngetta sub-county, Erute county, Lira district

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the effects of child labour on girl-child education in Ngetta sub county Lira District. It concerned girl- children below the age of 18years who were engaged /involved in child labour. The study period was 3 months from April to June 2014, during which respondents were interviewed ranging from children involved in child labour, teachers, head teachers, parents, employers, and the stake holders in education. These stakeholders were Parents Teachers Associations, School Management Committee, Sub-county Chief and secretary for education at the sub-county. It emerged that child labour still exists in Ngetta sub-county despite the political and administrative structures put in place. The common forms of child labour includes; domestic work, rock and stone quarry, agricultural work in the garden, brewing local alcohol and fetching water for the construction sites . The causes of child labour were; poverty, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS infections, separation between husband and wife leading to family breakdown, drunkardness, irresponsible parents, peer pressure, and need for cheap labour at home. The findings of the current study outline the complex and dynamic forces that perpetuate a practice being taught against globally, yet the opponents themselves precipitate it indirectly. Addressing the socio-economic structures that rise to child labour will be deemed redemptive.