CHILD LABOUR AND SCHOOL DROPOUT IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN BUNDIBUGYO DISTRICT

Abstract

Abstract The study's major goal was to investigate how child labour affected primary school dropout rates in the Bundibugyo District. Three distinct goals served as the study's compass: determining the reasons behind child labour, evaluating the obstacles to lowering school dropout rates, and investigating child labour reduction strategies. A cross-sectional survey strategy that included qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Because variables including age, gender, and education level are categorical, data analysis included frequency distributions, bar graphs, and pie charts. The associations between the variables were also examined using chi-square analysis, with a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that child labour was frequently caused in the region. 44.0% of respondents reported a high level of parental illiteracy, with a mean score of 3.86 and a standard deviation of 1.298. Domestic abuse was found to be a contributing factor, as indicated by 26% of respondents (mean of 3.68, standard deviation of 1.193). Another significant characteristic mentioned by 42% of respondents was orphanhood, with a mean score of 3.82 and a standard deviation of 0.975. With a mean of 3.42, a standard deviation of 1.099, and 40.0% of respondents citing poverty as a cause, it was another important factor. 52.0% of respondents, with a mean rating of 3.38 and a standard deviation of 1.297, supported the implementation of laws and regulations that prohibit minors from workingduringschoolhours. According to the study's findings, lowering parental illiteracy may result in less child labour among elementary school students. Child labour was shown to be frequently caused by domestic violence and orphanhood in the district. Based on the results, the study suggested that the Ugandan government and other development partners arrange literacy training for parents as well as training on domestic violence and the welfare of children who are at risk.