CHAPTER ONE (GENERAL INTRODUCTION) 1.

0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY All over the world millions of children are involved in cases of child labour with sub-Saharan Africa constituting 48 million with a work ratio of 29% coming second after Asia and the Pacific which constitute 127.3 million with a work ratio of 19% (ILO, 2002.) The work ratio in the various parts of the world, projects sub-Saharan Africa as the most rampant. The growing gap between the rich and the poor in this part of the world has forced millions out of school and into work. The International Labour Organization {ILO) estimates that 246million children between children between the ages of 5 and 17 currently work under conditions that are considered illegal, hazardous and extremely exploitative. A countrys future in perspective has everything to do with it infant population to develop in formal education especially in the field of new technology to meet modern demands. This and many more have stimulated the large investment nations commit to children education for as the saying goes children are the leaders of tomorrow. Unfortunately, child education in recent times is facing major setbacks as schooling is sacrificed on the alter of child labour. Child labour is the conscious or unconscious efforts of children to engage in other activities to the detriment of their health and schooling. It is a global problem and has traces in Liberia, Togo, Ghana, China, India, and even in the United States of America (U.S.A). In countries like Ghana, India, Cuba and China, children are made to engage in agricultural activities and some engage in street hawking. According to Heady's research carried out in Ghana in 2000, child labour and its attendant child abuse has become rampant in contemporary Ghana. The use of children in commercial activities

has gained grounds. Children are made to do long- hour jobs to the detriment of their education and this impact negatively on school work and literacy respectively. A more alarming case realized was that, these children (boys and girls) leave their homes into cities at early ages to engage in businesses. The little boys fall as apprentices under the urban blue color jobs and the females are thrown into chop bars and drinking spots. A rather regrettable instance is when these future leaders find themselves in social vices such as prostitution, pick-pocketing and the drug trade. Child labor however requires a multi-dimensional and multi-sectorial efforts seeking all hands on deck to achieve total reduction if not elimination move the nation in the direction we intend to see.

1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT The group sets out to study the causes and effects of child labour on a childs education. The term child labour is often defined as work that deprives children of their physical and mental development. It refers to work that is physically, mentally, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children and interferes with their schooling by depriving them the opportunity to attend school, obliging them to leave school prematurely or by requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work. The result of child labour survey conducted in 2003 estimates that more than 242,000 children are engage in hazardous work while over one million children under 15years are estimated to be working in Ghana (Daily Graphic, June 7, 2008 pg 11). A survey conducted on the topic cultural practices which perpetuate child labour in Dorimon in 2008 revealed that child labour exist in the Upper west region of Ghana and Dorimon to be

precise. It however blames the causes on the social cultural practices of the people in the area. Despite this and other researches carried out in the area (Dorimon), much has not been done to mitigate the menace as most children are still derailing into the child labour nest affecting academic performance. It is in this light that it calls for more work to further look at the other causes and examine its effects on child labour on the educational development of the children in Dorimon in the upper west region.

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS What are the causes of child labour in the Dorimon community? What are the effects of child labour on education in the Dorimon community? How can child labour be reduced to improve the educational status in the Dorimon community?

1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1.3.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE To examine the causes of child labour and its effects on a childs education in the Dorimon community

1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES To examine the causes of child labour in the Dorimon community To access the academic performance of children involved in child labour.

1.4 HYPOTHESIS Ho: Student performance is independent of child labour. Hi: Students academic performance is dependent on child status.

1.5 RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY The research undertaken will serve as a material for other academicians and researchers who will like to do further studies on the research topic. The study brings out the problem of child labour to create the awareness and presence of child labour in society so as to minimize its effects on education in particular and creating a better Ghana.

1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This research study considers the causes of child labour and its effects on a childs education. Education is the process of teaching, training and learning especially in schools to improve knowledge and develop skills. A child means every human being below the age of 18years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier. (Article 1, UN convention on the rights of the child ILO 2002). The use of intellectual or manual efforts in productive activities is labour Child labour, therefore, can be seen as work that is physically, mentally, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children and interferes with their school. Children between the ages of 5 and 17, in upper primary (class 4, 5&6) and JHS (1&2), both

those affected with child labour (those in school and that not in school) and those not affected with child labour are considered in the research. Parents and teachers are also considered in this research. Data is collected from school register, children test given so as to measure performance against counterpart in child labour and those not in child labour. There was also interview for the children involved in child labour and not in school to find the extent of impact on them. Descriptive statistics such as ratio, percentages and also Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) to emphasis presentation of data into information, diagrams and other visual depicting methods such as graphs, tabulations, charts and others are used. Test statistic at 95% confidence level (5% alpha) will be adopted to conclude analysis of data 1.6.1 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES Bearing in mind the nature of the community the group chose a sample size of 60respondants for children in child labour (those in school and that not in school) and children not in child labour. A proportionate stratified sampling was adopted and out of a population of 233pupils 50 pupils were used for school going children, (35pupil for child labour group and 15 for non-child labour group) and accidental sampling was used to select the remaining 10 which was for the child labour group not in school. Ten (10) parents were interviewed and nine (9) teachers were also given questionnaire Simple random sampling was however employed to select pupils and parents from their various categories. The sample frame was taken from upper primary (4, 5&6) and JHS 1&2.The total population of the sample frame is 233pupils of which 163pupils are under child labour and the remaining

70pupils are not. Picking a sample size of 50 from the sample frame a proportionate stratified sample technique was adopted so as to get an equal representation, The formula: 233 = 50 163 = X X = (163 * 50)/233 = 34.97 = 35 35pupils was taken from the 163pupils under the child labour group 15pupils was taken from the 163pupils under the non-child labour group. These pupils were taken randomly. Using the proportionate stratified sampling these figures were broken down to know the various pupils to be selected randomly from the various classes.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY Dorimon as mentioned in our problem statement has a number of investigations made on child labour and hence has informed our selection of the area to look at child labour causes and effects on a childs academic performance in school. It is limited to the study of the causes of child labour and its attendant effect on education of children in the study area. Data is collected from Dorimon Primary and Junior High school

which is the only school in the area.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY The research covers the Dorimon community alone and not the entire district thereby narrowing the scope of the research findings. The research involves a lot of funds which seeks to stand as a constraint to the group. The research time falls in line with the academic calendar which means the group will have to combine school work with the research which of course will give it little time. The group size poses a threat as a small size will have to do much work.

1.9 ORGANIZATION OF WORK The study is divided into five chapters and they are; chapter one comprising of the the background of the research topic, problem statement, objectives, research questions, methodology, summary, and limitations of the study. Chapter two deals with the study area; the profile of the study area is considered and this deals with the demographic, socio-cultural, sociopolitical data of the area and the spatial organization. Chapter three takes care of the literature review that puts key concepts and theories into perspective. Chapter four comprises of the data analysis, the techniques used and presentation of findings. The final chapter that is chapter five has to do with summary of findings, conclusion and recommendation.

CHAPTER TWO (COMMUNITY PROFILE) 2.0 INTRODUCTION Chapter two involves the discussion of the community profile of the study area. The chapter looks at a careful description of the geographical study area (Dorimon). Information was obtained from secondary sources in the region.

2.1 GEO-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Dorimon is a sub district located in the Wa West District of the Upper West region. It lies between longitude and latitude 25 30 west and 9.45 -10.55 north respectively. The area is comprised of about 80 settlements and however bordered by Nadowli district to the east, Wa municipality to the south, Wechau to the north and west by the Black Volta.

2.1.1 Topography Dorimon is located on a fairly flat area with an outcrop of gentle hills and valleys. This however facilitates the collection of water which has lead to a number of dams in the community but these dry up between long intervals of aridity. Relief in the area is of savanna high plain of about average 180m to 300m above sea level. (Dickson and Benneh 1970)

2.2 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES Socio-demographic characteristics looks at a host of human related issues such as human resources and its related issue in the area that affect the lives of people.

2.2.1 Ethnicity and Kinship Dorimon is made of people predominately called the Dolinbos who speak Dolinni a dialect similar to Waale, spoken in the regional capital Wa. Dorimon like most typical Ghanaian Northern areas practice the extended family and patrilineal linage systems.

2.2.2 Population Dorimon has a total population of about one thousand one hundred and ten (1110) as at 2008 . It has a male population of 473 and a female of 637. The community has a labour force of 521 and

dependent population of 583. The population also represents a total female dominance over male in the community. Table 2.0: A table showing the percentages of the age distribution in Dorimon community Age 0-17 18-64 64+ Total Male 131 232 110 473 Female 225 289 123 637 Total 356 521 233 1110 Percentage 32.1 46.9 21.0 100

2.2.3 Values and Taboos Dorimon community is made up of generally the three widely known religions in Ghana, the Traditional, Islamic and Christian religions. The value system in the area however depends on where ones believes reside though there are similarities. For instance there exist general respect for the elders, authority, laws, customs and traditions of the land. Among the Islamists and traditionalists marrying two or more wives is acceptable but it is however prohibitive among the Christian fraternity. The people, like every community discard practices such as murder, stealing, incest, defilement and adultery. 2.2.4 Property Ownership In the community like most northern communities men owned everything except with small ruminants which can be owned by women but in the thrust of their husbands. The lack of property ownership by women has created a lot of problems for them as they cant even own lands for cultivation of simple foodstuffs to raise some little income for their upkeep.

2.3 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES The economic activities in the area include agric industry and commerce. Farming represents the highest economic activity in the community. It provides most people in the area with their incomes. This could be as a result of the abundance of land. Farming which is predominately found is however not year round and may only controls the rainy periods.

2.3.1 Agriculture Agriculture contributes to about 60% of government revenue in Ghana given however that the country is predominately primarily related. It gives rise to the fact that the country side community, Dorimon is predominately agarian. This however means that failure of agric has controlled effect on the community. People in the community engage in the host of crop cultivation such as groundnuts, guinea corn, bambara beans, cowpea, millet and soya beans. The community also looks at agriculture in relation to livestock and poultry, livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. There also exist few traces of fishing due to the presence of the Black Volta and hunting of animals in the wild such as antelope, rabbit, rat, monkeys and grass cutters. 2.3.2 Industry and petty trading These industrial and petty trading sectors in the community include pito brewing, shea butter extraction, soap making and food preparation. These particular areas are mostly done by women in the community. Some men however engage in blacksmithing and crafting, hence the making of hoes, weaving and making of cane furniture. It must be said that about 90% of raw materials used in the industrial sector are from local

sources.

2.4 SERVICES 2.4.1 Health and Health Service Delivery The community has a health post which is situated in Dorimon and provides outreach programmes to other parts of the sub districts. The community is faced by a number of health problems. Among them include malaria, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), skin diseases and diarrhea which directly is related to the level of environmental hygiene and hence preventable (development workshop 2003). This health facility is engaged with a number of problems which include personnel with just principal and no subordinate, there is no ambulance or vehicle to make the ever occurring referrals to the Wa regional hospital. Another health delivery is traditional healing which use the magico religious methods such as back of trees, leaves and others to cure illness.

2.5 INFRASTRUCTURE 2.5.1 Post and communication The study area cannot boast of a postal or telephone facility. But there exist a second class road that links the district capital (Wa) with the area under study (Dorimon). Very few vehicles use this road but it is mostly busy during market days. It must also be noted that even though the communities in the district have feeder road linking them, they are hardly motor able during the rainy seasons. 2.5.2 Water and Sanitation

Boreholes are a major source of drinking water in Ghanaian communities. Dorimon as a sub district capital can boast of 3 boreholes in the community. Sanitation has become a serious concern in the area due to the inability to manage both liquid and solid waste in the community which some health implications.

2.5.3 Marketing Market days in Dorimon come once every week with the surrounding communities their turns within the week. Dorimon has a European union founded market stalls which is always filled to capacity on market days. People come from Wa to buy and sell their goods. Daily market however takes the form of under tree shades and on tables at home.

2.5.4 Education Formal education is only encouraging at the lower level especially for the girl child but generally reduced at the higher levels. Enrollment figures in Dorimon will give an adequate picture of current educational status of the study area.

Table 2.1: School enrolment for Dorimon Kindergarten school (2008/2009)

CLASS NURSERY 1 NURSERY 2 KINDERGARTEN 1 KINDERGARTEN 2 TOTAL BOYS 30 27 27 23 107 GIRLS 28 26 31 27 112 TOTAL 58 53 58 50 219

Source: Dorimon D/A primary school register (2009) Table 2.2:

School enrolment for Dorimon D/A Primary School (2008/2009) CLASS BOYS 1 50 2 58 3 49 4 45 5 40 6 28 TOTAL 270 Source: Dorimon D/A primary school register (2009) Table 2.3: Enrolment for Dorimon Junior High School (2008/2009) CLASS BOYS JHS 1 21 JHS 2 9 TOTAL 30 Source: Dorimon D/A primary school register (2009) GIRLS 15 6 21 TOTAL 36 15 51 GIRLS 32 36 43 24 26 19 180 TOTAL 82 94 92 69 66 47 450

Dorimon has primary and junior high schools .Partners in education currently in the sub-district include, Ghana education service (GES), Catholic Relief service (CRS), District Assembly and members of the community.

CHAPTER THREE (LITERATURE REVIEW) In 1979, the International Labour Conference adopted a resolution on child labour which calls upon member states to strengthen their efforts towards the elimination of child labour, but also "pending the elimination of child labour, and, during the transitional period until the elimination of child labour, to regulate it " it also calls on more protective labour legislation for working children, a stronger role for labour inspection and the introduction of compulsory primary education. The 1990 World Declaration and Plan of Action on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children, signed by 159 countries, also provided for the abolition of illegal child labour and for the protection of working children. The texts recognize that the objectives of eliminating all forms of child labour immediately may not be feasible. Therefore, they recommend a progressive elimination of child labour starting with a better protection of working children. The formulation of objectives is here closely intertwined with the instruments used to

put policy into practice. Clearly, legislation alone cannot eliminate child labour, hence, the need for a variety of other instruments, which can contribute to the gradual elimination of child labour. However, no one instrument holds the power to implement this change immediately. Child labour is entrenched in a web of economic and social processes which cannot be undone, except through a process of social change. (Child Labour in Commercial Agriculture,1997).

In Ghana the Convention Rights of the Child (CRC) guarantees children the right to be protected from work that threatens their health, education or development. This is repeated in the 1992 constitution. The causes of child labour has been captured in the writings of many scholars to have untold effects on child development hence formal education. Cain and Mozumder (1980) in their work in Bangladesh accused the structure of the labour market existence in the area as the causes of child labour. It stated that wages paid at work places incited the incidence. It argued that wage demand made by employees were exorbitant for employers to meet coupled with other production cost. The employers however resorted to the use of children as they were cheaper to pay. The children however tried to combine or in other cases neglect schooling completely which affected their physical and mental development. It can however be said that their findings are not exhaustive, it fails to take into account that the fact that wage rate might not necessarily be high but employers however may still want to maximize at the least possible cost and still use children. This is evidential in the Ghanaian society where wages charged are not too high but employers still resort to the use of children as they are relatively cheaper.

Karamat and Hamid (2001) made important findings in the city of Multan on female child domestic work. It was found out that, female children were hardest hit in the domain of child labour than their male counterparts. It blamed it on the level of education of parents as the main cause of females involved in child labour which prevents them from going to school or force them to attempt tot combine schooling with long hours of domestic work. This however retards the development of the girl child in the area of formal education rending them semi-literates or illiterates. This however has traces in Ghana where parents give their female children to other people to help in household chores and in return be given formal education.

Kimbely and Perinos (1999) in their research used what they called integrated household survey in Bolivia. It made important findings to the effects that child labour was more a domain of boys than girls. It was however associated with parents who were less educated to prefer children or the boy child in work to schooling. The research continued to point out that the cause of child labour was due to the fact that child labour is a function of family income in that, household income for parents came from children who worked in plantations and hence the quick incomes did not make them think of the future physical and mental development of the child. The research continued to also state as a cause that the employment of mothers was a factor. Mothers carried their children to work sites and eventually put them in work to increase incomes to the detriment of their education.

The findings in Bolvia may to some extent exist in the Ghanaian society, even though the former could change bit. The existence of child labour in Ghana is all together mixed and the girl child is not spared in the recruitment of child workers. They are seen as equally hard workers in

plantation to the extent that in Northern Ghana, female farming has become customary and in some cases affect school going. The later may also be true in the Ghanaian concept as the causes of child labour. This is because mothers have the customary obligation to care for children at their younger age hence carrying them along to work and eventually putting them in work instead of schooling is inevitable.

Grotaert (1999) came out with the causes of child labour to go beyond the traditional causes to include the infrastructure availability and the distance involved in schooling even though he did not refute poverty in developing countries such as those in Africa, he stated category that the infrastructure for schooling is wholly inadequate to meet the smooth education of children. In order cases, distances from homes to schools were too long and however discourage children and made it difficult for parents to monitor their wards in school.

Infrastructure, distance and poverty may have evidences in Ghana as the causes of child labour and the methodology used may fit the Ghanaian circumstance. Evidence is realized in the attempt of government to bring formal education to their door steps of the rural folk and the introduction of the school feeding program which may have a large number of children moving from homes and work places back into the classroom, increasing enrolment.

Hardy(2001), in his research carried put in Ghana, mentioned among others the effects of child labour on the development of a child mentally and physically. He sited in the movement of children from northern Ghana or rural areas into quarry fields do so at the expense of their education or attempt to combine the two. Ill handling of the hammers by the children can

sometimes cause physical injuries.

The effects of child labour are also captured in an earlier work of Bhalotra and Hardy (1999). They presented a detailed explanation of the effects of children involved in work to a country as it has the tendency of reducing if not eliminating the training of requisite skilled labour for a countrys economic advancement. The research went on to indicate that children involved in hazardous practices sometimes come into contact with chemicals which may affect their physical health. They may even lose their lives at a tender age.

Hussain (1998), in his research carried out on the nature and extent of hazards faced by child workers, he analysed the effects to have some very dangerous implications on a childs health and hence the main reason why child work should be discouraged especially in the industries. The most alarming situation was the huge number of children of about 400 which were involved. The work conditions of children had hazardous implications which included sexual abuse of both males and females. The study revealed that child work in agriculture was no exception in terms of hazards; children were excessively exposed to toxic substances in pesticides and fertilizers to include frequent humiliation, beating and abuse by land lords. He concluded by stating that the general physical observation of children provided evidence of malnutrition and diseases with symptoms like coughing, skin dehydration and ophthalmic disorders. Hussains research has trace in the Ghanaian environment especially in agriculture. Ghana has constantly been under attack for use of child workers in her cocoa farms which have prompted international organizations to place some sanctions on Ghanaian cocoa to help reduce the

problem in the country.

Lloyd and Gage-Brandon (1994), they made some very important but interesting analyses of age, presence and gender of siblings to have a strong effect on schooling and work patterns of members of the household. It stated that, the existence of male adults in the family has the possibility of reducing work by approximately 2% given the fact the male adults could do the jobs that hitherto would have been done by the child. It went on to say that the presence of a female adult could also take up household chores which would give an opportunity for the younger girl child to go to school. The adult male argument could be to some extent reasonable to conclude in Ghanaian societies, especially when dealing with commercial activities. However, the female adult argument may not be laudable given that they maybe looked down upon to be doing such household chores in presence of younger ones.

Given the complexity of causes and impact of child labour, any effort to adequately and efficiently address child labour must be of the multidisciplinary, multi-faceted and integrated nature, and linked to the broader context of poverty reduction, elimination and prevention of the worst forms of child labour and promotion and enforcement of fundamental labour and human rights.

CHAPTER FOUR (DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION) 4.0 INTRODUCTION This chapter seeks to present the findings carried out in the Dorimon community in the Wa West District in the upper West region. The research goes beyond the causes of child labour to include its attendant effects on the child and more precisely, the academic performance of such a child.

4.1 INTENSITY OF CHILD LABOUR IN DORIMON Child labour can be said to be at a very alarming rate in the community, to the extent that almost every child in the community is involved. It is of a situation where parents seem to be ignorant about the problem. They use their children as supplementary labour on their farms and as hired labour for others or force children to find work at their young ages to support the upkeep of the homes. It must be said that almost nine (9) out of ten (10) children are involved. Most children want to get involved because they can make quick money. It seemly makes schooling useless as they get no time to attend school and to read their books. A market day situation makes it worse. Children get involved in all kinds of activities such as selling farm produce, pito brewing, serving in chop bars, charcoal burning, among others. The research carried out in the upper primary (class 4, 5 and 6) and Junior High School (JHS) 1 and 2 in the Dorimon School revealed that out of a total 233 pupil interviewed, 163 were involved in child labour. CHART 4.0: A BAR GRAPH SHOWING THE CHILD LABOUR AND NON CHILD LABOUR IN THE VARIOUS CLASSES

200 150 100 50 0 Child Labour Non Child Labour JHS 2 JHS 1 Class 6 Class 5 Class 4

4.2 CHILD LABOUR ACTIVITIES IN DORIMON Child labour is a social menace that has bedeviled Dorimon as a community for some time now. Earlier research carried out in the community on cultural practices which perpetuate child labour revealed some activities which included quarrying. However, a research carried out by the group reveals that a host of activities are predominant in the community. They include domestic servitude, commercial farming and hired labour on farms, charcoal burning, firewood fetching, animal rearing, sale of foodstuffs and kerosene and working in grinding mills. Grouping the activities into commercial farming other activities and selling show them constitute 44%, 29% and 27% respectively

CHART 4.1: A PIE CHART SHOWING CHILD LABOUR ACTIVITIES IN DORIMON

A PIE CHART SHOWING CHILD LABOUR ACTIVITIES IN DORIMON

Other activities Commercial Farming Selling

27%

29%

44%

4.3 GENDER ISSUES OF CHILD LABOUR IN DORIMON During the research, it was realized that child labour was highest among boys than girls in the community. It was however not surprising considering the kind of activities that were predominant. It is also worth mentioning that girls were more involved in the selling than boys. Out of the 233 pupils interviewed, 163 were involved in child labour made up of 107 boys and 56 girls representing 66% and 34% respectively

CHART 4.2: A BAR GRAPH SHOWING THE MALE AND FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN THE

SAMPLE FRAME CHOSEN

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Males Females Males

Females

The sample frame was taken from upper primary (4, 5&6) and JHS 1&2.The total population of the sample frame is 233pupils of which 163pupils are under child labour and the remaining 70pupils are not. Picking a sample size of 50 from the sample frame a proportionate stratified sample technique was adopted so as to get an equal representation.

4.4 CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR IN DORIMON In Dorimon however, the causes included single parenting, desire for money by children, poverty, unemployment of parents, death of parents, broken homes, aged parents, severe punishments in schools, illiteracy of parents, sickness of parents, socio cultural practices among others. About 80% of children in child labour identify poverty as the major cause of their predicament

and questionnaire responses from parents and teachers did not object to such. The group divided the causes into poverty causes, parental causes and other causes. TABLE 4.0 A TABLE SHOWING THE PERCENTAGES OF THE CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR IN DORIMON. CAUSES POVERTY OTHERS PERCENTAGE 52 16

PARENTAL 32

CHART 4.3: A PIE CHART SHOWING THE CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR IN DORIMON

A Pie Chart Showing the Causes Of Child Labour in Dorimon

Poverty 16% 52% 32% Others Parental

SOCIO CULTURAL PRACTICES AS A CAUSE OF CHILD LABOUR A research conducted by a group in 2007 on the topic the attitude that perpertuates child labour

in Dorimon revealed that it is a common practice for every boy who attains the age eight to go to the farm. The girls who attain this age sell in the market usually on market days. It was revealed by one elder that the boys are seen as the backbone of the family. Hence, in such families, the parents stay back at home and send out the boys to the farms, care for the animals or engage in some activities that will fetch the family some income. It is also a family tradition to engage the child in whatever work that the parents do. They claim it is to train the child to acquire skills which he or she can use as a source of employment in case formal education fails him or her. Another practice which has come to stay with the people of Dorimon is their perception of festive periods. Child labour is pronounced during these periods. In preparation for such festivities, children are engaged either by themselves or their parents in quarrying, Kayayo, firewood fetching, commercial agriculture and domestic servitude in order to earn enough money for the festivals. The people also think engaging the child to work prevents them idling about.

4.5 GENERAL EFFECTS OF CHILD LABOUR IN DORIMON After a careful collection of data from questionnaire responses from parents, teachers child labour victims both in schools and not in school in Dorimon, the group came out with some general effects of child labour in the Dorimon community CHART 4.4: GENERAL EFFECTS CHILD LABOUR IN DORIMON

General Effects of Child Labour in Dorimon

Educational Effects 11% Social Vices 28% 42% Injuries 19% Environmental Effects

4.6 EFFECT OF CHILD LABOUR ON A CHILD'S EDUCATION IN DORIMON. Child labour has serious effects on the development of a child and hence has implications for national development. A case study in Dorimon revealed that children in child labour have been affected negatively as well as the community. Child labour has rendered the community a place of moral degeneration, children stay awake deep into the night and hence perpetuate unacceptable practices. This has reduced morality in the community and most parents now find it difficult to control their children's waywardness. It has also presented children with a number of injuries which are not even pleasant to the eye. Some even sustain burns and sores which can probably render them deformed for life. However, national interest of educational performance which sets the pace for the groups research is not exempted.

The group conducted a mathematics and English examination to test the children in child labour and those not in child labour in the Dorimon primary and JHS, find out the extent to which they are affected by child labour in their academic work. It must be said that, academic performance in the school is not all together impressive but there are a number of indication of analysis that could be made on the performance of both children in child labour and those not involved within the classes chosen starting from class four to JHS 2.

TABLE 4.1 A TABLE SHOWING THE PERFORMANCE OF CHILD LABOUR PUPILS AND NON CHILD LABOUR PUPILS IN UPPER PRIMARY AND JHS 1&2 CHILD LABOUR NAMES Abudi Kudus Issa Nafia Mani Mustapha Karim Hamidu Jatoe Nafisah Waise Ali Mariama Arijetu Solomon Emm Mush Rashida Salifu Amina Abudu Wakila Kobeo Lawrence Gusenaa Samadu Dery Christopher Fuseni Nura Nuku Kudus Salia Sunkara Stephen Amina Siekane Albert Issah Manayatu Joseph Sumalia Issahaku Saeed Suncehebe Mariama Sulemanani Zikira Bawa Cecilia Salia Habiba Suleman Sumwini Seidu Christiana Dabaga Nuhu Wiese Abu Yaw Toyiri NON CHILD LABOUR AGE SEX MARKS AGE SEX M E CLASS FOUR 14 M 5 8 Iddrisu Abass 11 M 11 F 4 0 John Mensah 12 M 8 M 3 0 Seidu Dominic 13 M 14 M 4 0 Abdul Razak 13 M 10 F 7 0 Iddrisu Abudi 11 M 13 M 4 0 14 F 6 1 11 M 1 0 11 F 1 0 12 F 1 0 CLASS FIVE 12 F 1 5 Ababasa Wilfred 15 M 14 M 4 6 Dombo Talata 14 F 15 M 8 7 Mumuni Ishatu 17 F 13 M 5 3 Karim Khadija 14 F 15 F 4 5 Aniba Auxilia 13 F 15 M 1 4 Cecilia 15 F 12 F 4 3 14 M 3 5 CLASS SIX 15 M 5 0 Ibunaang Akua 16 F 13 F 4 3 14 M 8 6 14 M 5 2 17 F 3 0 13 16 14 14 13 16 15 13 F F F M 4 1 8 2 6 4 6 7 JHS ONE F 3.5 6 Bamansa Lariba M 6 4.5 Iddrisu Hafizden M 0 4 M 6 7

MARKS M E 3 9 7 1 3 2 3 0 0 0

4 3 5 5 3 7

4 6 0 7 6 7

12 16

F M

6 3

7 4

Banbang Jatoe Sunbogo Dumba Zenabu Bukari Abdalai Salam

14 14 15 17

M M

4.5 7 4 6 JHS TWO F 3 3 M 4 6

Fuseina Mohammed

16

The group selected 15 pupils in class four of which 10 pupils are in child labour and five pupils not. Even though academic performance can be said to be generally bad, two pupils out of the five not in child labour scored two and three in the English test which is below average whiles the rest scored zero. However, those in child labour were hardest hit in the English test where one pupil scored 8 marks, another scored 1 mark and the rest scored zero. In the mathematics test, two pupils out of the five scored above five marks with the remaining scoring 3, 1, and 3 respectively. Child labour performance in the class saw three pupils out of the ten perform averagely and above and the rest failed. It must be added that even though the best pupil in the English test came from the child labour group, the child labour group suffered poor performance as a result of their involvement in child labour which prevents them in academic pursuits. Class five by analysis selected 14 pupils out of which 8 pupils were involved and six not involved in child labour. In the English test conducted, the non child labour group saw four pupils perform above average and two below average. Three pupils of the six performed averagely and above in math whiles the other three performed below average. The child labour group saw five pupils out of the eight scoring average and above in the English test and two pupils out of the eight scored above average in the math test. In comparative analysis however, the non child labour group performed better as expected. This is so because pupils in child labour do not place greater priority in schooling as compared to

work. The best student however came from the child labour group. Ten respondents were interviewed in class six of which nine were in child labour and one not. In the English test, two pupils out of the nine involved in child labour performed above average. In math, four pupils performed averagely and three performed below average. The non child labour performance was however remarkable with the girl scoring 9 and 7 in English and math respectively. Junior High School one (JHS 1) had a selection of eight respondents with six involved in child labour. The English test showed four respondents performing above average but only two performed above average in math. The two respondents from non child labour however saw one pupil performing above average and the other below average. In JHS 2, three respondents were interviewed of which two pupils were involved in child labour and one not in. Out of the two pupils in child labour, one scored above average in only the English test but the non child labour pupil performed above average in both math and English.

TABLE 4.2 A TABLE SHOWING THE AVERAGE PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS IN CHILD LABOUR AND NON CHILD LABOUR IN THE VARIOUS CLASSES
class Child status Minimum maths Child labour Four Non child labour Child labour Five Non Child labour Child labour Six 3 3 0 0 4.5 5.44 5 2.78 7 8 7 7 1.52 1.74 2.68 2.49 1 1 0 3 4.6 3.75 0 4.75 9 8 3 7 3.29 2.25 1.41 1.39 1 English 0 Average maths 3.6 English 0 Performance Maximum maths 7 English 8 Standard deviation Maths 2.12 English 2.51

JHS 1

Non Child labour Child labour Non Child labour Child labour

7 0 3 3 6 0 1

9 4.5 4 3 7 0 0

7 4 4.5 3.5 6 4.17 4.8

9 5.75 5.5 4.5 7 3.3 4.13

7 6 6 4 6 8 9

9 7 7 6 7 8 9

2.21 2.12 0.71 2.072935 2.17781

1.25 2.12 2.12 2.70

JHS 2 Non Child labour Child labour Non child labour

Overall

3.14

Interpretation of T test/ Test Statistics However using the independent T-test and assuming equal variances the T stats was -1.234

and a significant( p value of 0.223 or 22.3%. the confidence bounds or interval at the 95% confidence level(5% alpha) was -3.957(lower) and 0.947(upper) . Given that the significance of 22.3% is greater than the 5% alpha, we fail to reject the null hypothesis which states that student performance is independent of child labour status and conclude that student performance is independent of child labour status in Dorimon. This conclusion is confirmed by the confidence which overlaps zero hence the mean difference of -1.505 could be statistically equal to zero. The test result also implies that though it can be observed within the various classes that the mean performance of students not into child labour is higher than those into child labour the difference is statistically insignificant. The difference however could be due to several other factors besides child labour which include chance, sampling error and individual intellect. The conclusion thus is that child labour has no effect statistically on academic performance of pupils in Dorimon. This conclusion contravenes Heady Christopher (2000) findings in his report What
is the Effect of Child Labour on Learning achievement? Evidence from Ghana. Innocenti Working Paper No. 79.Florence: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre

4.2 WAY OF REDUCING CHILD LABOUR The research conducted in Dorimon reveals that most of the people are ignorant about child labour and its attendant effects. Some respondents suggested that mass education and counseling of community members will create awareness on child labour thereby reducing its prevalence in the community. Others suggested that government should create jobs and also create a monitoring system over the people and their activities so that these people will be aware that they are being watched. Additionally, scholarship schemes could be provided in the community to encourage pupils to be in school and also enhance their performance in class.

CHAPTER FIVE 5.0 SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION This chapter contains a summary of the major findings, conclusion and recommendation. The summary of major findings covers the causes and effects of child labour on a child's education in the Dorimon community. 5.1 SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS The research conducted identified commercial farming and hired labour, animal rearing, firewood fetching and selling as the main child labour activities. The findings also included the intensity of child labour as being alarming. Looking at the gender involvement in the community, boys are more involved than girls. It was realized through the research that child labour has an untold effect on the educational development of the child. This was of the case where the group measured the academic

performance of children in child labour and those not in child labour. The effect of it was clear as many child labour pupils scored below average or zero.

5.2 CONCLUSION Child labour is a serious problem which has persisted for decades in spite of efforts to eliminate it by the national and international community. Effects of child labour on the victims and the dorimon society cannot be over looked. Child labour causes not only serious health problems and consequences on the future development of the child but it also has negative effects on the development of the dorimon community. For instance, child labour enhances illiteracy and poverty in the society. A child would have to leave school and work, or combine the work with schooling. Efforts must therefore be made to reduce it if not eradicate it in the community. Addressing the causes and effects of child labour on a child's education is a major step forward in shaping the world fit for children. It must however be added that child labour has no effect on a childs academic performance statistically as tested by the group in the Dorimon community.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION The research conducted in Dorimon community shows that most of the populace are ignorant of child labour and its effects. There is therefore the need for policy makers like government and NGOs to organize sensitization programs to educate people on child labour and in such consider the causes and effects of child labour on a child's education so as to make it all embracing in its eradication. Child labourers who have stopped schooling should be taken back to school or vocational training could also be provided for those who cannot go back to school so that they

can also acquire employable skills which are less stressful. Government is expected to be strong and put in place effective laws to make of maximum risk for employer to employ children in the community. However Non Governmental Organizations and other organizations could also provide workshops and opportunities for people in Dorimon to make them employable or self employable so as to reduce poverty the main cause of child labour as established by our findings. After concluding that child labour has no effects on academic performance of pupils of Dorimon the group recommends more importantly further research should to be done in the area on the effects of child labour on academic performance since our conclusion could have been influenced by chance, sampling error, individual intellect among others. REFERENCES International labour office, child labour; a text book for university students, 2004

ILO. International program for the elimination of child labour, 2002. Every child counts: new global estimates on child labour (Geneva, ILO)

HEADY, C. 2000. What is the effect of child labour on learning achievements? Evidence from Ghana, working paper No. 79 UNICEF, (Florence, Innocenti Research centre)

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UNICEF, (2004), The State of the World Children, UNICEF NY (3 UN Plaza, NY, NY 10017) USA

ILO, (1998), :"Child Labour in the World"; Geneva.

DFID, (1996), Liberating Children, Combating Hidden and Harmful child labour, UK

MENDS, E.H, (1994) "The Rights of the Child in Ghana, the Socio-Cultural Milieu," The Rights of the Child in Ghana Accra: Woeli Publication Services.

Mensah-Bonsu. H. J. N and Dowuona - Hammond C (1994). The Child within the Ghanaian Family: A Legal Perspective Legon, Ghana: Family and Development Programme. University of Ghana. Daily Graphic Daily Graphic, June 7, 2008 pg 11

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Child Labour in Commercial Agriculture in Africa, August 1996, Published In 1997

Cain and Mozumber (1980); Child Labour: A world history companion

Karamat and Hamid (2001): Major Determinants of female Child Labour in Urban Multan (

Dunjab Pakistan) Department of Economics Bahauddu Zakariya University (Multan) processed

Hussain (1999); Child work in hazardous industries in Pakistan The hahore journal of economic (hahore) Lloyd (1994): Investing in the next generation. The implication of high fertility rate at the level of the family. Research Division work paper number 63New York Population Council, New York Grootaert and Petrinos (1999): The Policy Analysis of Child Labour; A Comparative Study. St. Martin Press, New York.