BREAKING THE CHAINS: CHILD LABOR AND STUDENTS' PARTICIPATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION IN WOLAITA ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Аннотация

This research study examines the issue of child labor and its impact on students' participation in primary school education in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. Child labor remains a significant concern, hindering children's access to education and perpetuating a cycle of poverty. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data on child labor prevalence with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions. The research aims to understand the reasons behind child labor, its effects on students' enrollment and attendance, and the barriers faced by children in breaking free from the chains of labor to pursue education. The findings shed light on the complex interplay between child labor and primary school participation and underscore the importance of targeted interventions to address this pressing issue. KEYWORDS Child labor, primary school education, students' participation, poverty, barriers, Ethiopia, Wolaita Zone, mixed- methods research, access to education.