Impact of Child Labor on Academic Performance of Pupils in Selected Primary Schools in Mpigi Town Council, Mpigi District, Central Region-Uganda

ABSTRACT This study assessed the impact of Child labor on academic performance of pupils in selected primary schools in Mpigi town council in Mpigi district. Four specific objectives, four research questions were formulated with four null hypotheses associated. Survey research design was adopted. The population for the study was 37,700 drawn from the three educational zone of Niger States. A sample of 600 respondents from classes 4, 5, and 6 were randomly selected for the study. The instruments used for data collection were a self design questionnaire, school attendance register and report cards. Frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyze the data obtained from the respondents. All the four null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance and all were rejected. The findings revealed that children exposed to labor activities had very poor school attendance, were mostly females. The findings, also showed child labor affect pupil’s academic performance as was revealed on the poor academic achievements by pupils exposed to labor were mostly females, compared to their male counterparts. The study recommended among others that children exposed to labor should be given equal right to attend school regardless of any engagement in labor activity. It also recommended that government/parents should develop strategies to reduce or eradicate child labor activities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT V

TABLE OF CONTENTS Vi

CHAPTER ONE 1

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 4

1.3 Purpose of the study 4

1.4 Objectives of the study 4

1.4.1 General objective 4

1.4.2 Specific objectives of the study 4

1.5 Research Questions 5

1.6 The scope of the study 5

1.6.1 Contextual frame work 5

1.6.2 Geographical scope of the study 6

1.6.3 Time scope 6

1.7 Significance of the study 6

1.8 Conceptual frame work 7

1.9 Definitions of key variables 8

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.0 Introduction 9

2.1 Concept of Child Labor 9

2.2 Theories of Child Labor 11

2.3 Causes of Child Labor 13

2.4 Child Labour in Other Countries 15

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2.5 Forms of Child Labour .17

2.6 Child Labour and Poverty 21

2.7 Child Labour and School Attendance 23

2.8 Child Labour and Academic Performance 25

2.9 Primary Education 27

2.10 Empirical Studies 29

2.11 Summary of Related Literature Review 34

CHAPTER THREE 35

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 35

3.0 Introduction 35

3.1 Research Design 35

3.2 Population of the Study 35

3.3 Sample Size 35

3.3.1 Sample Procedure 36

3.4 Data Collection Methods 37

3.4.1 Interviews 37

3.4.2 Questionnaire 37

3.5 Reliability and Validity 38

3.6 Procedure for Data Collection 38

3.7 Data Analysis 39

3.7,1 Editing and spot checking 39

3.7.2 Coding 39

3.7.3 Frequency tabulation 39

3.8 Expected limitations and solutions of the study 39

3.9 Ethical Considerations 40

CHAPTER FOUR 41

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS 41

4.0. Introduction 41

4.2. The Demographic Composition of Research Respondents 41

4.3. The Causes of Child Labour in Mpigi town council 46

4.4. The Impact of Child Labour on Child’s Academic Performance 47

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CHAPTER FIVE .50

SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 50

5.0. Introduction 50

5.1. Summary of the Findings 50

5.2. Conclusion 51

5.3. Areas for Further Research 51

REFERENCES 52

Appendices 55

Appendix 1: Questionnaire 55

Appendix 3: PROPOSED BUDGET ESTIMATES 64

Appendix 4: Tentative Work Plan 66