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THE INFLUENCE OF CHILD LABOUR ON LEVEL OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
ACASE STUDY OF KAYONZA SUB-COUNTY SCHOOLS OF KAKIIKA PARENTS SCHOOL, KIRIMATOOGO P/S AND NACHESTER CHURCH OF UGANDA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
This Chapter presents the background, problem statement, purpose specific objectives, research questions, scope and the significance of the study.
1.1 Background
In the year 2000, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that there were over 200 million child labourers worldwide. Of these 200 million, 180 million are suspected to be engaged in the worst forms of child labour, which can be summarized as, ‘those activities . . . [that are] inexcusable under any circumstance and must be eliminated without delay” (ILO, 2002: 1). That is to say, approximately 90 percent of working children are engaged in labour that is, by nature, detrimental to their psychological and physical well-being. These include, labour that is performed by a child who is under the specified minimum age for that type of work,hazardous work and, children engaged in types of child labour to be abolished. The elimination of the worst forms of child labour has come to be recognized as crucial for sustainable social and economic development and most of improvement in the academic performance of children in schools to enable them have good future and transform the country. By 1 February 2002, 115 countries had ratified the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182. The convention recognizes that those forms of child work defined as hazardous to a child’s well-being or unconditionally at odds with a child’s basic human rights should be absolutely prohibited by any person under the age of 18 (ILO, 2002: 11).
The issue of pupils’ performance at schools has been of concern ever since modern education was introduced. Many countries have come to realize that pupils are the heart of educational process and that without good performance, all innovations in education are doomed to failure. There is a wide dissatisfaction with the current situation of schooling in many countries and parents come in for the share of the blame. This is because majority of parents involve their children in garden and other domestic work. This makes pupils have limited time with their teachers and no time for revision, therefore, affecting their performance. The Uganda Primary School Curriculum (1999) clearly spells out what Primary Education is. It also spells out the broad aims and objectives of Primary Education. The Curriculum in both Volume One and Volume Two was designed to address the National Aim of Education as specifically stated in the Government White Paper on the Education Policy Review Commission Report (1992). Therefore, all school efforts should be aimed at high quality pupils’ learning. Parents as active stakeholders in schools should ensure that they are cooperative, participate fully in school activities, provide children with essential needs, check pupils’ work, encourage and enforce good behaviour among pupils and to consult with school authorities to foster good performance of their children. Theoretically, according to Maicibi (2005:169), a good environment should be provided by the home if our children in school must learn such activities like domestic work at home have an influence towards the academic performance of pupils in schools, Maani (1990) observes that pupils’ success at schools is closely related to their home backgrounds since children are given a lot of work at home like washing clothes grazing cattle and taking care of the old these factors affect a pupils academic performance in schools. According to Skinner (1945) “Learning Theory” achievement vary among individuals due to several reasons. Level of performance and aspirations of pupils depend on factors linked to the level of education of parents, family income and marital status of parents. Pupil’s performance, defined as, the ability of pupils to do something (Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, 1994).
1.2 Problem Statement
The purpose of primary education is to develop quality of life of the learners so that they can properly serve the society according to their roles and responsibilities as good citizens. To achieve the aim and improve pupils’ performance in primary schools, Primary Teachers’ Colleges are to prepare high quality and sufficient teachers to provide quality education in primary schools (Ballon and Podgursky, 1997). The learning process must be guided and controlled; and the learning environment must be conducive and supportive (Skinner, 1945). In other words, learners need to be motivated by their parents in whatever they do. Given this role, Government has deliberately made effort to improve on infrastructure and other educational inputs. Despite this, pupils’ performance has been persistently and alarmingly low in Kayunga district with specific reference to the primary schools of kakika parents, kirimatongo primary school and Nachester c/u p/s. this study therefore intends to investigate into the influence of child labour on the level of academic performance with specific reference to Kakika parents, Kirimatongo and Nachester in kayunga district.
1.3.1 General objective
The overall purpose of this study is to investigate into the influence of child labour on the level of academic performance with specific reference to Kakika parents, Kirimatongo and Nachester in kayunga district.
- Specific objectives
- To examine the influence of child labour on pupils.
- To identify factors that affect academic performance.
- To establish the relationship between child labour and academic performance.
1.4 Research Questions
- What is the influence of child labour on pupils.
- What are the factors that affect academic performance.
- What is the relationship between child labour and academic performance.
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.6.1 Study Scope
The study will cover the influence of child labour on pupils, factors that affect academic performance and the relationship between child labour and academic performance.
1.6.2 Geographical Scope
The study will be carried out at kayunga district.
1.6.3 Time scope
The researcher will be carried out from September 2016 to
1.7 Significance of the Study
The will help future researcher with information regarding the influence of child labour on pupils.
The study will also help academicians in understanding the factors that affect academic performance.
The study will also provide information on the relationship between child labour and academic performance.
