NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN EDUCATION

(NIJRE)

Volume 5 Issue 1 Page 38-52, 2025

https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJRE/2025/51385200
Page | 38

Child Labor and Academic Performance of Selected

Secondary Schools in Bulambuli District
Mungo Esau and Ounyesiga Living

College of Education, Open and Distance Learning, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT
Amidst poor academic performance in Bulambuli district, the present study investigated the child labor on academic
performance of students in Bulambuli district, Uganda using a cross sectional research design to determine
characteristic social of respondents involved in academic performance in Bulambuli district, to determine effects of
child labor on academic performance of students and pupils of Bulambuli district out how a supportive home
environment is related to the academic performance in Bulambuli district. A sample size of 100 respondents was
determined from target population using Slovene's formula, and random sampling was employed to select
participants based on experience and position. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and later
analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The study showed that majority
40(52%) of respondents were in the age bracket of 20-29 years with 32(40%) married compared to their counterparts.
Majority 51(64%) were females and 29(36%) males with at least most of them having attained varies levels of
education such as certificate, diploma, degree and masters. The study also revealed strong relationship between
supportive indiscipline and academic performance in Bulambuli district with majority 30(38%) of respondents
strongly agreeing that street life can greatly influence academic performance of learners. The findings also showed
that majority of respondents strongly agreed that early marriage can greatly affect academic performance and has a
very big influence on the learners. It was also observed that majority 33(41%) of respondents agreed that learners
in non-supportive environment struggle a lot in their academic performance by facing challenges of accessing
learning equipment’s compared to only 24(30%) and 14(18%) who agreed and strongly disagreed with the findings.
The researcher also recommended that learners should be provided with a serene home environment for learners by
giving them proper time and educative environment at home. The researcher also recommends that educators should
encourage parents and school administrators to teach good morals to their children which is necessary means of
academic success.
Keywords: Child labour; Academic performance; Supportive home environment; Early marriage; Bulambuli district

INTRODUCTION
The world has made substantial progress in increasing basic levels of education. Achieving universal primary
education is one of the millennium development goals. In low and middle income developing countries, child labor
may be a barrier. Few multi-country, controlled studies of the relations between different kinds of child labor and
schooling are available. This study employs 186,795 families with (7-14) years old children in low and middle income
developing countries, child labor is more common in developing countries than in developed countries [1, 2]. Africa
ranks the highest among regions both in the percentage of children in child labor-one-fifth- and the absolute number
of children in child labor-72 million. Asia and the pacific ranks second highest in both these measures -7% of all
children and 62 million in absolute terms are in child labor in this region[3–6]. In Africa, Sub-saharan Africa has
the highest number of child laborers at 86.6 million children followed by central and south region of Africa, 70% of
children are involved in agriculture and others work long hours in factories and domestic service or face even more
exploitative forms of labor like as child soldiers or being exploited in the commercial sex trade [7–9]. In East Africa,
all forms of work by children under the age laid down in International labor organization (ILO) standards (Normally
15 years or the age of completion of compulsory schooling). Burundi takes the first position in east Africa followed
by south Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda [10]. In Uganda, national estimates in Uganda suggests
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that 18% of children are engaged in child labor. Most of these children work in agriculture, though other sectors
include mining, construction, manufacturing, domestic service, street work and commercial sexual exploitation.
Northern region is number one in child labor followed by western Uganda then eastern and lastly central Uganda.
The constitution of Uganda (2016) defined, a child as a person aged less than 18 years old. (United Nations
International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Government of Uganda [11, 12]. This is because before
the age of 18years as young person still has needs that must be fulfilled by adults.
A child is a young person who needs care and protection from adult. [13, 14], asserts that parents have the primary Page | 39
responsibility of instilling an ethic of hard work and educational advancement in their children. He went further to
s ay if we are to make the investment required to revamp our schools, then we will need to rediscover the fact that
every child can learn and one is neither stupid nor impossible but perhaps low learners. Child labor refers to children
working in circumstances that put their physical, mental and social development at risk. In spite of particular
emphasis to primary education especially samazi sub-county, it seems its outcomes still remain unsatisfactory
because academic performance was poor. Child labor was blocking the achievement of mass education which was
one of the objective of most African countries particularly Uganda. Poor performance was a worrying problem in
that it affects the effectiveness of our demand. Having done poorly in school many of these students no longer feel
at ease. These pupils who perform poor in the classes were always won and feel tired and were bound to lower
concentration. These leach to unnecessary movement outside the class and loss of time for face to face contact. So in
such a case, education achieves nothing positive when a child was put in a physical, mental and social risk. Rather it
alternate these pupils from their original environment which now they see as trivial. Yet among the many desired
attitudes society whishes school to transmit attitude and practical and marketable skills which can enable children
to fit the society Education Policy Review Commission Report [15–18].
The children should only join work which appropriate and approved by the society. More so a person who has been
doing well in school should be better than those who have not had performed well at school. The knowledge gained
from school is expected to enlighten them and improve their ways of looking at things and later fit in society with
added advantage of formal education. While educational opportunities have continued to extend, it would appear
that most pupils perform poorly in their primary level. However, the level of work performed by the pupils should
be in order to develop knowledge, skills and positive attitude to work. The Ministry of Education and Sports gave
areas of work to be covered by learners in school and time to be spent in school National Curricular Development
Centre [19, 20]. On the other hand, pupils have responsibilities to help their parents and the society as a whole.
These can be garden work, fetching water, transporting materials, cleaning compound, looking after animals to
name a few but this should not be manipulated in order to exploit them to affect their academic performance. The
child has a right to use equipments and the responsibility to respect their parents [21, 22]. In regard to school
attendance become compulsory for all children of relevant age for every class in which free educations was
introduced. By the year 2001/2002 all primary and secondary education would be free and compulsory [23, 24]
Bulambuli is just like other districts in Uganda are faced with many problems. This among others include poor
academic performance, child labor which is believed to be a factor affecting academic performance of students in this
baby district located in the eastern part of this country. Many children do not frequently attend schools as a result
of child labor that affect their academic performance at school. They are given too much work from home as well as
at school. For instance, helping parents with domestic work, looking after animals and helping in garden work which
makes them irregular at schools. During the last couple of years, students' performance in National Examination
had dropped significantly and this had been a major concern for the society [25]. Therefore, indiscipline of children,
school dropout, sheet children, early marriage and prostitution was the end results in the society. Students who
were constantly absent from school are more likely to perform poorly since they could not coup up with their school
programme On the other hand, student's indiscipline and social behavior was another cause of poor performance of
students at schools [26]. Street children as a result of child labor affected the people of the society. These children
began to practice bad behavior like theft, chewing mirra, smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol and breaking houses
because of being idle and disorderliness leading to child trafficking. Child labor also resulted to early marriage that
affected the community. These children became child mothers and child headed families [27]. The government has
attempted to solve this problem through provision of policy guidelines and pass laws against child labor; recruited
and trained adequate teachers for the discipline of children financed education and provided scholastic materials to
be used in schools in an attempt to combat inadequate coverage of syllabus in school curricular. There is also
provision of school rules and regulations to students, sensitization of parents and communities about child labor.
Despite the above solutions, the problem still persist that is why the researcher examined the effect of child labor on
the academic performance of students in selected secondary schools in Bulambuli District.

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 METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The study adopted a case study design in attempt to analyze the data. This design was specifically chosen because
it provided in depth information.
Population of the study Page | 40
The target population of this study consisted of head teachers, teachers and students. The population of the study
was 100 respondents of city and the sample size was derived from the population of the study. These categories of
the population have been chosen for the reason that they are directly involved in the operations of the school and
are deemed to have the required knowledge on the variables under investigation. A population is a group of individual
persons, objects, or items from which samples are taken for measurement for example a population of presidents or
professors, books or students who possess at least one common characteristic[27, 28].
Sample Size of the Study
A sample is part of the study population that has been procedurally selected as a representative of the whole
population of study. The sample size of the study was 80 respondents within the study area comprising of men, and
women. These included the following categories plus with their numbers, that’s 3 Headteachers, 15 Teachers and
62 Students. The sample size was comprised of these categories of respondents because they are resourceful people
and expected to have information regarding the school indiscipline, street life and early marriage on students’
academic performance in Bulambuli district shown in the table below: The sample size determined using Solven’s
formula[29, 30]
N
n=
1  Ne 2
Where n = sample size
N = population size
e= sample probability
100
n=
 ( 0.05)2
1+100
100
n=
1  100  0.0025
100
n=
1.25
n= 80 respondents

Table 1 Showing Sample Size of the Study and its respondent’s categories.
RESPONDENTS TOTAL SAMPLE METHOD
NUMBER
Key informants 15 10 Purposive

Pupils 35 26 Simple random

Teachers 25 22 Systemic sample

Parents 15 12 Simple random sampling

Local community 20 10 Simple random

TOTAL 100 80

Sampling Methods
The researcher used both probability and non-probability sampling. The key informants were reached through
purposive sampling. This was because purposive sampling gave the opportunity for the researcher to choose people
who had the knowledge about the problem under investigation. The students on the other hand shall be reached in

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through simple random sampling. This was done to avoid bias. While the teachers were reached through systemic
sampling. The local community (parents) was reached through simple random sampling.
Data Collection instrument
This refers to the tools to be used for collecting data and how these tools were developed. In this study,
questionnaires, interview guide, documentation and observation techniques were used as the main tools for
collecting data. The selection of these tools was guided by the nature of data to be collected, the time available as
well as by the objectives of the study. The overall aim of this study was to determine the effect of child labor and Page | 41
academic performance. The researcher was mainly concerned with views, opinions, perceptions, feelings, attitudes
and observations. Such information can best be collected through the use of questionnaires and observation [31].
Questionnaires was used since the study was concerned with variables that cannot be directly observed such as
views, opinions perceptions and feelings of the respondents. Such information was best collected through
questionnaires. The sample size was also quite large (200) and given the time constraints, questionnaire was the
ideal tool for collecting data .The target population was also largely literate and were unlikely to have difficulties in
responding to questionnaire items .Observation was used since the study was concerned with variables that can be
directly observed such as number of respondents complaining of the same effect, color of water from different water
sources .Such information can best be collected by observation To allow the researcher to see for himself what people
actually face rather than what they say they face ,to bridge the gap between what people say and what was actually
seen can be collected ideally by observation. Since the research was being conducted to gain firsthand experience,
record information as it occurs, to explore topics that may be uncomfortable to informants, notice unusual aspects,
observation was the best tool for this research [32].
Questionnaires
This method was used to collect information from teachers, pupils. This was so because teachers, pupils and students
are very central in performance at PLE, UCE and UACE and are mostly affected by PLE, UCE and UACE
performance. They also had much time to answer the questionnaires.
Interview guide
This was used to reach out key informants like District Education Official (DEO), District Inspector of School (DIS)
and Head teachers. This was because they are too much committed with office work. The researcher intended to use
interview guide since he was to get information orally as he recorded the valid information on research.
Observation checklist
This was used by the researcher to quickly check important items at school like timetable, charts and so on. These
items do affect performance of students at UCE and UACE.
Documentation
This method was used to collect information from government offices example staff list, staff minutes, UCE and
UACE accountabilities at school and teachers’ personal files.
Procedures for Data Collection
Upon submission of the approved research proposal to the supervisor, an introductory letter from Kampala
International University, was issued and submitted to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Another letter was
got from the CAO office which introduced the researcher to the field.
Data analysis
Data was first collected, and presented by use of the tables, graphs, pie chart and interview report. The data was
expressed in terms of percentages. This helped to summarize large amount of data and save time. The use of graphs
(pie charts) and tables will clearly interpret large data and simplify the findings to the beneficiaries.
Data Reliability and Validity
The researcher pre tested the instrument in Adel parish where results got was compared with the information got
from the main study Bulegeni town council. This was done to ensure reliability of the study.
Ethical consideration
The researcher observed all possible ethical conduct. Respondents was assured of confidentiality of the information
and where demanded- anonymity was observed.
RESULTS
Presentation of Data
Table 1 Sex of respondents
GENDER NUMBER IN PERCENTAGES
MALE 52
FEMALE 48
Generally,
the respondents reached where male represented by 52% and 48% were female.
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 GENDER

Page | 42
MALE
FEMALE

Fig. 1. Respondents by sex

Concerning the educational levels, majority (40% of the respondents were below certificate level, 30% were
certificate holders, 22% were diploma holders, 7% were degree holders, while insignificant percent of 1% were higher
degrees).
Table. 2: Respondents by qualification.
QUALIFICATION PERCENTAGE (%)
Certificate 30
Diploma 22
Degree 7
Higher degree 1
Below certificate 40

45
40
35
30
25 Column2
20 Column1
15 Series 1
10
5
0
certificate diploma degree below certificate higher degree
Figure 2: Respondents by Qualification
By implication therefore there is need for people to further their education for a better performance of schools.
Teachers are encouraged to upgrade.
Marital status
Table 3. Marital status of the respondents.
STATUS MARRIED SINGLES WIDOWS

PERCENTAGES (%) 36 50 14

From the above table, majority of the people used were singles, these include young people who have not reached
marital age, pupils and those that are divorced. This is represented by 50%. However, 36% were married; these
include the people who are divorced, singles and others within the marital brackets. 9% were widows.
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 Table 4 Responses on Street children.
ADMITTED DISAGREED DENIED

Street life influenced students’ performance 48 12 40

Parents' negligence is responsible for street life 60 08 32

Page | 43
Street children is a result of peer pressure 58 06 36

Most parents are poor and cannot control their children 42 08 50

When asked whether street life influenced the thinking of the pupils and this affect their academic performances, a
big percent 48% of the respondents admitted that the statement was right; while 40% of the pupils interviewed
disagreed with the statement as false and a big percent of the respondent could neither accept nor deny. All in all,
the result revealed that street life is responsible for poor academic performance and influences children. This is
summed up in Fig.3 below.

Table 5. Responses on street Life

AGREE DISAGREED NOT SURE
48 12 40

PIE CHART

AGREE
DISAGREE
NOT SURE

Figure 3: Responses on street life

When asked as to whether parents are responsible for children going to the street as a result of their negligence, a
significant percent of 60% agreed with the statement, 32% of the respondent did not believe in the statement and
8% were not sure. This implies that parents limited roles in molding up children and negligence drives children to
the street and this significantly affect their performances. The graph below (Fig. 4) summaries all this.
Table 6: Parents Negligence;
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE

60% 08% 32%

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 80

60
percentages
40
Column1 Page | 44
20 Column2
0
agree not sure disagree
Figure 4: Parental negligence
Concerning peer influence, majority of the people interviewed were of the view that peer influence is responsible for
poor academic performance of pupils and students in Bulambuli District. This is represented by 58%. However, 36%
of the people did not agree with the statement and 6% were indifferent. This implies that peer group significantly
affects children's life and this leading to poor academic performance.
Table 7: Peer pressure
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE

58% 06% 36%

When asked whether it is a result of poverty which allows parents not to have control over their children; 42% of
the respondents agreed with the statement, 8% were not sure while a bigger percentage (50%) rubbished it out. This
implies that it is not poverty but other factors which works on parents not to control their children. This could
include sheer negligence, lack of responsibility, and drunkardness among others. This is summed up in Fig.5 below:
Indiscipline of children
Table 8: Responses on indiscipline of children related to their academic performance
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE

Indiscipline children are poor performers 62% 04% 34%

Indiscipline is a function of upbringing. 48% 04% 48%

Guidance & Counseling can control indiscipline 47% 7% 46%

poor School Management is responsible for children's 30% 4% 66%

indiscipline
Government policy and human rights promotes indiscipline in 48% 2% 50%
schools.

Table 9: Indiscipline are poor performers

AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE

52% 04% 34%

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 PIE CHART
Page | 45

34 AGREE
NOT SURE
52 DISAGREE
4

Figure 5: Response on indiscipline and performance

In the above Chart (Fig.5). it was revealed that Undisciplined pupils are poor performances (62%). As the saying
goes "without discipline, you cannot succeed." Many children who are indiscipline at school do not perform well.
This is because they get themselves engaged in non-issues and lacked respect for teachers, dodge classes etc.
However, 34% of the respondents did not believe that it is because of indiscipline that children fail. Blames have been
put on teachers and other factors. 4% of the people however did not however show sides, not neutral. When asked
whether indiscipline is as a result of poor up brining of the children by their parents, the result was amazing since
48% of the respondents did not believe while the same percentage (48%) also did believe and 4% did not show side.
This implies that it is either parent's role of children or other factors responsible for indiscipline of children.
Table 10: Responses on Parent Upbringing
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE

48% 04% 48%

60

50

40
Series 1
30
Column1
20 Column2
10

0
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE
Fig 6. Responses on parental upbringing
As for guidance and Counseling, little Margin between those who believe that it can help to improve pupils to morals
and those who did not believe in it completely. This is represented by 47% and 46% respectively and 7% were not
sure. However, there is a general feeling that granted, opportunity for counseling, pupils can be tamed as thus
improve on their morals and respect. This is summed up in Fig. 6.

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 Table 11. Responses on guidance and counseling
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE Page | 46
46% 07% 47%

THE PIE CHART

AGREE
NOT SURE
DISAGREE

Fig 7. Responses on guidance and counseling

The above figure revealed that guidance and counseling in schools can help in shaping up pupils in schools.
School Management and Indiscipline
A question was raised as to whether poor School Management is responsible for Indiscipline of pupils in Bulambuli
district. 66% of the people talked to disagreed with the statement. This is based on the fact that schools have School
Rules and Regulations, disciplinary Committees among others that handles the discipline of pupils. 30% of the
respondents however, agreed with the statement while 4% were not sure. By implications therefore, indiscipline of
pupils is not a function of poor management. The above is expressed graphically in Fig: 8.
Table 12. Responses on School Management and Discipline
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE

30% 04% 66%

80
60
Series 1
40
Column1
20
Column2
0
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE
Figure 8. Responses on school management and discipline
When asked whether government policy and children rights affect performance of pupils in schools, a large circles
of people tends to agree with the statement (48%). This is because of the Ministry's idea that pupils should not be
beaten (Corporal punishment) which makes the pupils to disobey the authority. In line with children's right, some
children think it is their right to attend class or not, drink or not or do anything they so with. This significantly
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affects discipline of pupils and hence academic performance. On the other hand, 50% of the respondents did not
support the statement. This is due to the fact that, policy is a guiding principle which is ideally meant to ease work,
correct and build people in society. 2% of the people however could not tell whether or not the statement was true.

Table 13. Response on early marriages

AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE
Mistreatment of children leads to early marriages 43% 14% 43% Page | 47

All girl children that marriages off early is a result of child labor 40% 10% 50%
Early marriage affect performance of children 58% 11% 31%
There is no law against early marriages in the country. 30% 0% 70%

The general contention among their society is that mistreatment of children (child labor) significantly affect the
performance of children in Bulambuli and thus leads to early marriages. This is represented by 45% of the
respondents. However, 43% of the people interviewed did not believe in this statement and 12% of them were not
sure. Although there are another factors apart from child labor to early marriages of children especially young girls.
Table 14. Responses on Early Marriage
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE
45% 12% 43%

When asked whether all children engaged in early marriages is as a result of child labor, 40% of the people admitted
the statement as true, and overriding percent of 70% solidly rejected the statement. This implies that not all those
who go for early marriages suffer the stigma of child labor. This is represented in Fig.4.8. below.
Table 15. responses on Early Child Marriage
AGREE NOT SURE DISAGREE
50% 10% 40%

AGREEE
NOT SURE
DISAGREE

Figure 9. Responses on early child marriage

As to whether early marriages affect academic performance, off course a big number of the respondents (58%)
confirmed the statement as true, 31% disagreed and 11% were not true. This implies that educations of children are
tempered with when they are forced into early marriages. This is graphically represented as in the table 16 below.
Table 16. Responses on Early Marriages and Performance.
AGREE 58%
NOT SURE 11%
DISAGREE 31%

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 Y-Values
80

60 Page | 48
40
Y-Values
20

0
AGREEE NOT SURE DISAGREE
Fig 10. Responses on Early Marriages and Performance.

When asked whether there is any law against early marriages, 30% of the people were of the view that there is a
law, while a huge percent of 70% disagreed with the statement. However, much as there is no specific law against
early marriages, the Constitution of 1995 provides that
the consent age 18 years below which someone is a child. The problem with this is that local people tend to hold the
future of these children in their hands and fires away their children in marriage at a tender age.

Table 17. Responses on constitution

AGREE DISAGREE

30% 70%

THE PIE CHART

AGREE
DISAGREE

Figure11. Responses on constitution.

Generally, the problem of people getting married early is not because there is no law but because of external and
internal factors. Be it in or external factors the education of the pupils are affected.
DISCUSSION
The study "Child Labor and Academic Performance of Selected Secondary Schools in Bulambuli District" explores
the impact of child labor on students' academic performance in Bulambuli District, Uganda. The research reveals a
significant relationship between child labor and poor academic performance, with domestic responsibilities such as
garden work, fetching water, and childcare directly affecting students' concentration and school attendance.
Supportive environments are also crucial, as students from homes lacking adequate support struggle academically,
facing challenges such as limited access to learning materials.[33, 34].
Early marriages and street life are identified as critical factors negatively influencing academic performance, as street
life, often a result of parental negligence, leads to indiscipline and exposes children to activities that hinder their
educational progress. Gender analysis revealed disparities in educational attainment, with more females affected by

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early marriages and other socio-economic constraints. A large proportion of respondents had low educational
qualifications, indicating a broader community issue of limited access to higher education[35].
Indiscipline among students, often linked to poor parental upbringing and weak school management policies,
emerged as a major impediment to academic achievement. Effective guidance and counseling were recommended as
remedial measures. The study's strengths include its comprehensive scope, quantitative and qualitative approaches,
and practical recommendations, such as improving parental involvement, enforcing child labor policies, and
enhancing school counseling programs. However, the study's small sample size and representation limit Page | 49
generalizability to other districts or regions. Data analysis and interpretation are also limited, and the definition and
operationalization of key terms like "supportive environment" and "indiscipline" are somewhat vague, leaving room
for subjective interpretation[36]. The implications of the study include policy formulation, community engagement,
educational interventions, and future research. Addressing the highlighted limitations could significantly enhance
its impact, and implementing the recommendations would require multi-stakeholder collaboration, including
parents, educators, policymakers, and community leaders.
Summary
In the study majority of the respondents reached were male with majority of them not married. The greater
percentage of the people interviewed were below certificate level of education. Generally street life did influence the
pupil perhaps that is a factor leading to poor performance of pupils in the area. This factor has been blamed on the
parents since the study showed that it was the negligence of the parents failing to control their children. Child labor
is synonymous to indiscipline of the children. Although it is not true that children faced serious wrath of parents
because of indiscipline, generally most of the children are indiscipline as revealed in this study. It is because of this
indiscipline that their education is affected and hence poor academic performance. There is generally good school
rules and regulations all over the schools but evidence is there to show that there was laxity on the part of the school
management to adequately implement the policy. The children have thus taken this opportunity to indulge
themselves in funny practices such as drinking, pairing up and others. This necessity affects their education. It is
also evident that the result of child labor is early pregnancies and early marriages. Because the children both girl
child and boys who opted to stay at ho\me ends up getting married prematurely. This is against the government
intention to keep children at schools for better future. The parents are solely responsible for this anomaly.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion the study was well focused on the indiscipline of children, early marriage and street life. Generally, all
the above did affect the life and growth of the children at one time in life. It is thus important that the community
organizes their children to avoid this eventuality which is anti-social and anti-academic, a serious impediment to the
academic excellence of the children.
Recommendation
Aware that the problem of child labor is affecting the life of our children, there is need to combat this. The study
finding is that all the factors identified in this study did affect the progress of children. The following
recommendation is thus preferred:
Street children: The government should put policy against street life and avoid children from flooding the street.
Not only children even adult who are lazy and ends up begging on the streets. The government should also put
deterrent punishment to parents who allows their children to move to streets.
Early child marriages: There is dire need to address this practice from the society. Measures should be put on
families who fail to control their homes and instead soiled the rights of the children by making them get married at
tender age. Again deterrent punishment should be given to such parents who give away their children in marriage
so early. More to that the government should establish foot soldiers around all villages looking for parents who
have not sent their children to school, aware that there is universal primary and secondary education. Even then
UPE should be made not only affordable and accessible to all, but also competitive to attract people to use such
schools as a place they can bust for their children's education.
Indiscipline: There is need for schools to be tough on school rules and regulations. The school management should
take upon them to make children follow the rules. Parents should be encouraged to provide basic education and
discipline their children at home. Parents should close to their children. On top of that schools should provide open
carrier guidance to the children. There is need for sex education to schools; this will ease the tension of children
getting early sexual practices.
Generally, the community should be sensitized on the problems of child labor and look at their children as their own
otherwise the rate at which children are being abused through hard labor is alarming. This does not mean that
children should not be given work; instead they should be given what they can do and not as a punishment but a
way of building them and as a training role for future. Co wives and foster mother and those who keep children who
are not their very own should be sensitized on mistreatment of children and give children respect they deserved.
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 Abbreviations
ILO: International Labour Organisation
UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
UNEB: Uganda National Examination Board
PLE: Primary Leaving Examinations
UCE: Uganda Certificate of Education
UACE: Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education Page | 50
USE: Universal Secondary Education
UPE: Universal Primary Education
NIECD: National Integrated Early Childhood Development
OAU: Organization of African Union
AU: African Union
UNESCO: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
DIS: District Inspector of Schools
DEO: District Education Officer
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