Publication: Effects of child Labour on Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination performance in Igembe District Meru County From 2005—2009.
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2011-11
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Child labour and child abuse represent significance aspect of problems facing the present
generation of children in the world today. This study presents an overview of global problem of
child labour and abuse, with emphasis on the issues for research prevention and policy decision.
As evidenced by many empirical studies child labour is experienced by millions of children in
Africa and other developing countries. It has many deleterious consequences for most of the
children. UNICEF defines child labour as some types of work performed by children below 18
years of age and a child as anyone below 18years. Child labour refer to employment of children
at regular and sustained labour that is illegal, exploitative and harms children morally,
physically, and psychologically and blocks them from regular school attendance (ILO Report-
2005) and www childlabour photo project child and wikipedia. Org. /wik/ child labour). In
reference to Igembe District; our focal study sample, child labour and abuse is very rampant.
This characterizes their formal education with absenteeism, truancy and drop-outs. The study
sought to explore the effect of child labour on K.C.P.E performance in Igembe District. The
study was be guided by the following objectives; to determine the cause of child labour and
abuse, to analyse the trends of K.C.P.E performance and finally to suggest strategies and
recommendations on how to combat child labour. The related literature was reviewed and the
identified gaps influenced the results of the study conducted. The study was conducted only in
Igembe District. Questionnaires and interview schedules were administered as follows; one copy
for the zonal officer, one for each of the 30 head teachers of each of the sampled primary
schools, one for each std 8 class teacher of the sampled schools and three copies per school for
each of the std 8 candidates to be filled by candidates index number one, two and three (1-3). The
study covered thirty public primary schools. The data collected was analysed in frequency tables
and percentages. The research revealed that with prevalence of child labour this characterizes
schools with absenteeism and drop out, which consequently undermines K.C.P.E examination
results for the concerned schools. Analysis also manifested that it is not only miraa business,
household, mabuuti, tea/coffee picking that affect learning but also low attitude towards
education in the district. The conclusion was drawn based on the research objectives and the
necessary recommendations were made. Otherwise, the significance of the research conducted
long term effects highlights, makes recommendations and suggests strategies of reducing and
even eliminating child labour with a view to improving K.C.P.E performance.
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school of education