THE INFLUENCE OF CHILD LABOUR ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The traumatic experience of child labour in Nigeria was dated back to around 1882. Some feel that the crux of the problem is in the fact that children are allowed to engage in economic activity. They argue that childhood should be reserved primarily for study and play, with work consisting of but light chores in the home. They maintain that even when children are not mistreated, their participation in the workforce weakens adult wages and employment and is thus a factor in generating the very poverty that force them to work. Virtually all working children are considered by definition to be at risk and therefore, the elimination of child work/labour is the only way to reduce endangerment. To their mind, the ultimate goal of action should be the elimination of all forms of child labour.
A different position is taken by those who point out that work under appropriate protection and supervision, is an essential vehicle of juvenile socialization, training and self-esteem. They hold that the economic participation of children is acceptable as long as it is consistent with healthy development and that the real problem is the special vulnerability of children when they enter the labour market. Although they support the elimination of child participation in hazardous work, they feel that youngsters wishing to work should have the right to do so and that the scarcity of employment opportunities suitable for minors is as much a problem as is the existence of exploitative working conditions. Proponents of this view claim that prohibiting child labour without first raising family real income from other sources will invite tragedy for the poor, creating even more destitute children. To them, the central issue is how to protect the safety and development of children who work.
