Influence of child labour on access to education of children with disabilities in Samburu County, Kenya
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Date
2017-12
Authors
Ringera, Japheth Mwebia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
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.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of doctor of philosophy in the school of education, department of special needs education, Kenyatta University. December, 2017