CHILD FARM LABOUR AND SCHOOL EFFICIENCYIN RELATION TO ACADEMIC PERFORMANCEIN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The agricultural sector has been the largest employer of labour in developing countries. In rural areas, agricultural labour is mostly dominated by children, which affects their academic performance. Children engaging in farm labour usually experience low school attendance, which eventually affects their academic success. This study looks at child labour envisaged by farm activities and the efficiency level of schools on academic performance in Niger State. The school census data were obtained from the State Ministry of Education and household survey data was obtained from three (3) Zones of Niger State and applied Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS). Findings show that the majority of schools in the three zones are generally inefficient, while child participation in farm labour negatively affects their academic performance. This study, therefore, recommends greater participation of government and stakeholders in providing adequate school facilities, as well as banning labour participation of children, especially during school hours in the communities.