Effects of child labor on performance In KCPE: A case of Mwitika zone, Mutito subcounty, Kitui County, Kenya.

Abstract

Employment of children is an enormous problem in many parts of the world. However, not much attention has been given to it, yet it is unfavorable to the child’s development in many ways. Child labour has negative implications on the child’s academic performance. This study therefore investigated on the extent to which child labour has effects on the performance of pupils in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in Mutito sub-county, Kitui county. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish forms of work engaged in by child laborers that affects KCPE performance; to determine the influence of absenteeism on KCPE performance due to child labour; to examine factors influencing child labour and its effects on KCPE performance; and to establish intervention mechanism for child labour and in turn improve academic performance in KCPE. The study was guided by Maslow’s theory of hierarchy of needs. The study employed descriptive design and used questionnaires to collect data. Both qualitative and quantitative data techniques of research was used during the study. Data collected was analyzed by the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences and presented in form of frequency tables and charts. To establish the effects of child labour in performance, It was revealed by pupils that majority of the child labourers engaged in family business (27%), 26% engaged in household chores, 15% engaged in construction and manufacturing sector. The results are as indicated that majority (67%) of the pupils labourers always engaged in child labour. To establish the influence of absenteeism on KCPE due to child labour. On the issue of absenteeism, majority of the pupils (95.2%) indicated that child labour makes them absent themselves from school. The majority (46.4%)of the pupils indicated they get absent for two days in a week, 14.5% indicated ones in a week, 9.1% said ones in two weeks, 6.4% indicated once in a month while 0.9% said two times in a month. The results indicated that most (55.5%) of the child labours were missing in schools mostly the whole day, 17.3% indicated they missed school during afternoon session while 4.5% indicated they got absent during the morning session. In regards to academic performance majority (60%) of the pupils had performed poorly in their previous exams, 1% performed very good,11.8% indicated good results, while others 19.2% their performance was fair. According to teachers on children who work for long hours especially in the evening suffer fatigue and tiredness and have poor class concentration the following day, the results indicates that majority (85.8%) agreed, On head teachers’ view, majority (24.8%) said child labour is caused by negative attitude of parents to education, 21.2% said child labour is due to pupils attempting to supplement family income, 24.5% indicated to help the family business and 8% indicates is due to single parent family while 2.5% said to support oneself as an orphan. On interventions mechanism on child labour and KCPE performance. 14.3% of the headteachers indicated that those people who employ children to be punished; 28.6% said free primary education to be compulsory; 5.5% talked of importance of educating parents on dangers of child labour; 6.2% said children who work to be punished while 28.6% indicated that orphaned children to get support. The study recommended that, the current policies and laws on child labour should be reviewed. There should be a more comprehensive and regular survey on various factors that affect performance of pupils in examination. The government, particularly the ministry of education should make sure that education fund is enough and disbursed to various schools so that pupils needs can be catered for. The findings of this study are hoped to be useful to policy makers in the education sector such as the government and other stakeholder.