ABSTRACT
The study investigated the effects of child labour on educational attainment among senior secondary school students in Egor local government area of Edo State. In doing this, four research questions were raised to guide the study. A total sample of 150 respondents were drawn for the study through a simple random technique from 10 senior secondary schools. The descriptive survey method was adopted for the study. The structured questionnaire was the instrument used in collecting data. After experts’ validation of the instrument, it was pilot-tested for reliability. The reliability coefficient was determined through the Pearson Products Moment Statistical Formula and it came up to .68. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics specifically the frequency count and simple percentages.
The major findings of the study included the fact that secondary school students are involved in various type of child labour activities in Egor local government area of Edo state. The study also revealed that child labour affected students’ academic attainment in Egor local government area of Edo state. Furthermore, the study revealed that household size broken marriages, early loss of parents, illiterate parents, cultural practices, unemployment are prevailing factors that promotes students’ involvement in child labour practices in Egor local government area
The study therefore gave the following recommendations among others that education should be accessible to children. Secondly, government should establish laws to stop child labour practices of all sorts. Thirdly, there should be increased level of awareness and enlightenment for employers on what child labour is about. Lastly, government should provide employment opportunities for its citizens so that adults could cater for their dependants.
