CHILD LABOUR AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY OF MOSHIE-ZONGO IN THE MANHYIA SUB-METROPOLIS OF ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The welfare of the child is of paramount importance in the world today. In Ghana, labour is exploitative if it deprives a child of his/her health, education or development. The magnitude of child labour in Moshie-Zongo relative to other suburbs in the Kumasi Metropolis is high, but as to how child labour affects the academic performance of school children in Moshie-Zongo is not well known. The objective of the research is to establish the relationship and the extent of the relationship between child labour and academic performance. The method for data collection is the interview through questionnaires and checklist. Frequency tables and descriptive statistics are the data analysis methods employed with the aid of SPSS and Excel. Pupil labourers in the study community engage in child labour activities to support their families’ in order to provide for their education and other basic needs. Most of the pupil labourers are engaged in similar line of economic activities as their parents/guardians. Pupil labourers academic average scores fell below average and female pupil labourers are more disadvantaged. Parents should be sensitized about the value of education to their children by the social welfare department. The government should design employment empowerment programmes for parents. Teachers need to educate both parents and children on the effects of child labour through the school management committee.