Child Labour and Pupils’ Academic Performance: A Case Study of Selected Primary Schools of Nyendo-Ssenyange Division in Masaka District.

Abstract

NAMUGERWA VERONICA (2008-M092-30033)

Child Labour and Pupils’ Academic Performance: A Case Study of Selected Primary Schools of Nyendo-Ssenyange Division in Masaka District

This study set out to establish how child labour affects pupils‟ 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 pupils‟ academic performance. The findings of the study show that children are subjected to different forms of child labour categorised 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 pupils‟ 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 levels financially. In addition, there is need to eliminate domestic chores and hawking for pupils. This can be done through the relevant authorities such as the District Probation Officer, District Labour Officer and Assistant Town Clerk. These should undertake concerted efforts to strengthen the labour inspectorate at local levels. Key words: Labour, Child, Performance, Academic