Impact of Child Labour on Pupils’ Primary Education in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objective of the study on the impact of child labor on pupils’ primary education in Nigeria is:
- To assess the prevalence and nature of child labor among primary school-aged children in Nigeria.
- To examine the impact of child labor on primary school attendance rates and dropout rates in different regions of Nigeria.
- To evaluate the academic performance of primary school pupils engaged in child labor compared to their peers who are not engaged in labor.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Concepts of child abuse
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse as “all forms of physical and/or emotional illtreatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or child labour/commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power”(WHO, 2016). In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use the term child maltreatment to refer to both acts of commission (abuse), which include “words or overt actions that cause harm, potential harm, or threat of harm to a child”. And an act of omission (neglect), meaning, the failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional, or educational needs or to protect a child from harm or potential harm The United States Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum, “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation” and/or “an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm” (Herrenkohl, 2005). The employment of children Act 1938 said that anyone under fifteen (15) years is a child. However, the Child Act 1974 laid down sixteen (16) years as the age of maturity. Children are internationally described to be human beings below the eighteen (18) years of age. They are special link between the present and future generations. This fact about children could be one of the major reasons, which motivated the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) at its convention on the 20th of November, 1989 to identify and adopt the children’s rights. The right was ratified by a World submit on Children’s Rights by UNICEF in 1990. The right of the child has fifty-four (54) articles. Odusanya (2002) defined a child as someone who is under fourteen (14) years of age that is time of care, protection and learning. During this period, there are many issues that the child cannot deal with: the parents and society are expected to take responsibility for whatever a child does during this period and determine the kind of adult he/she will become. Children are special and they hold the key to the future of any nation. There should be more concrete programmes and welfare and safety of vision children, to aid their growth to full physical and intellectual potentials in a technology driven world.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain impact of child labour on pupils primary education in Nigeria. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing impact of child labour on pupils primary education in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on impact of child labour on pupils primary education in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included: To assess the prevalence and nature of child labor among primary school-aged children in Nigeria, to examine the impact of child labor on primary school attendance rates and dropout rates in different regions of Nigeria, to evaluate the academic performance of primary school pupils engaged in child labor compared to their peers who are not engaged in labor and to identify the socio-economic factors that contribute to child labor practices in Nigeria, including poverty, household dynamics, and cultural influences. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected primary schools in Lagos. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
From the findings of the study, it can be concluded that, children who are exposed to child labour are deficient in academic achievements compare to their counterparts who do not engage in child labour. Also, female students engaging in labour, have low school attendance compare to their male counterparts.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were put forward:
- Children exposed to labour should be given equal right to attend school regardless of any engagement in labour activity.
- Parents and community should be mindful of age and sex of their children before exposing them to labour.
- Children exposed to labour activities should be given equal right to attend school regardless of any engagement in labour activity.
- Parents and the school authority should ensure that female pupils are retained in school by providing girl child friendly environment.
- Extra free classes should be introduced to children exposed to labour by the curriculum planners, with special preference to the female pupils exposed to labour.
- The Government/Community should develop positive strategies to labour reduction or eradication towards a fruitful fulfillment of children’s school attendance and academic achievement.
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