Factors Associated with Child Labor and Students’ Educational Participation: A Case Study of Public Elementary Schools of Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Aim: The study assessed factors associated with child labor and students’ education participation in public elementary schools of Wolaita Zone.

Design: The study employed a descriptive survey research design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in four divisions and one administrative town in Wolaita zone from November 2018 to April 2019.

Methodology: Data were obtained from 150 household heads purposively selected to respond to a household survey. Additionally, eight focus group discussions were held with 84, 3rd and 4th grade teachers. Data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and Multiple linear regression using SPSS software version 20.0.

Results: Findings revealed that child-labor is still common in Wolaita Zone. Results indicated that over three quarters of the sampled households engage their children in paid or unpaid work. The correlation analysis revealed that younger household heads and those with better education, higher income and formal employment were less likely to let their children engage in child labor. The regression analysis found that education participation of 3rd and 4th graders increased with the number of children attending school per household, and on the perception of the household head regarding household needs. The decision to send a child to school or not were also based on; households’ economic standing, health care needs, employment opportunities, and being an orphan or having divorced/separated parents.

Conclusion: The study concluded that policies that protect children’s rights and those that increase participation in school should be enforced within the study area. As a policy recommendation, community involvement in protection of children welfare is required to support the long-run investment in human capital development.