Influence of child labour on access to education of children with disabilities in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to find out the influence of child labour on access to education of children with disabilities. It is widely acknowledged that child labour is detrimental to children’s school attendance, participation and completion which is also a precursor to child labour. The specific objectives of the study were: to determine the type of labour performed by children with disabilities as child labourers; to determine how the types of disability influence children into child labour, compare the completion rates of children with disabilities enrolled in school with those without disabilities, identify factors that influence children with disabilities into child labour in Samburu County, and to investigate the preventive processes within the school system that enhance retention of children with disabilities. The study was carried out within the framework of The Social Model Theory. The study was done in Samburu County. The sample size constituted 217 children with disabilities enrolled in school, thirty teachers, three head teachers, six assessment teachers and fifteen parents of children with disabilities. The study used a mixed methods research approach. Analysis of data from questionnaires generated descriptive statistics which was presented in tables, charts and figures. The study used descriptive survey in its methodology. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on the findings of the study. Children with disabilities were engaged in child labour on the bases of the nature of their disabilities and the culture of the Samburu people. It was established that there were more boys with disabilities in child labour than girls. The findings further established that there were more children with physical disabilities in child labour than any other disability and that they were discriminated against in school and at home hence their involvement in child labour. From the findings of the study, it was established that the main factors that pushed children with disabilities into child labour were social exclusion, lack of conducive learning environment, lack of assistive devices and lack of learning resources.