Covid-19 and Home learning: The case of Meru County Kenya

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to find out whether children are learning now that schools closed due to covid, and does involving children, in child work/child employment and or child labour deny them a chance to engage in online learning activities The objectives of the study, was to find out whether children of below 12 years are involved in child work/child employment and or child labour. Find out the types of child work/child employment and or child labour children below the age of 12 years are engaged in at home and in the neighborhood in this covid-19 period. The study used a survey design. The target population was working children in Nyambene, Igembe and South Imenti regions of Meru County. The researcher used questionnaire for the parents or guardian while observation schedule was used to establish different types of work children below 12 years were engaged in. The sample size of the study was 684 children and 684 parents or guardians. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics that then presented using frequency distribution tables and percentages. The findings of the study reveal that children below 12 years of age are engaged in different forms of child work/child employment and or child labour. It also showed that income earned by majority of the parents or guardians (54%) of children engaged in child work/child employment and or child labour were of age’s 17-35years and 50% of these parents earned between Ksh2500 to 4000 a month. The findings also established the kind of activities children do to support their families and documents children reported reasons as to why they have to work.