School attendance and attitude to child labour: a comparison of in-school and out-of-school working children in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Aim

The aim of the study was to compare the attitudes to child labour among in-school and out-of-school working children in Ibadan.

Subjects and method

A cross sectional study design was utilized. Working children engaged in economic activity in a large market and working children registered in schools and attending full time were interviewed. Data was collected from a total of 456 children, 225 in the market (122 out-of-school, 103 missing school) and 231 in schools (in-school category), on their attitude to child labour, the children’s perception of themselves and their future aspirations.

Results

Majority of the children were working to earn money for parents or contribute towards the cost of their education. 48 % of out-of-school children thought children should not work compared to 33 % of in-school children (p = 0.02.) 52 % of out-of-school children felt less fortunate than their peers compared to 8 % of in-school children (p = 0.00). Road traffic accidents and bad company were frequently reported as disadvantages of working by all categories of working children. Earning money for parents and making a living were the advantages reported by in-school and out-of-school children respectively. Out-of-school children had lower career aspirations than in-school children.

Conclusion

Working children engaged in full-time education had a better perception of themselves compared to out-of-school children. School attendance may reduce the negative psychological outcomes of child labour. Therefore, programmes to control child labour should emphasize the importance of school attendance. Increased funding for education will reduce the economic burden on parents of sending their children to school.