Implications of Girl Child Labour on Primary School Attendance in Wagusu Beach, Nyangoma Division, Siaya County Kenya

Reports show that approximately 1.01 million children aged 5-17 years are engaged in child labour, with 90% in the rural areas, working in agriculture, domestic work, informal sector, mining and fisheries. Although existing literature mainly talks of boys engaged in fishing, information concerning girl child involvement in fish processing is scarce. However, primary schools around Wagusu Beach experience high girl child school drop-out as well as irregular attendance and it may be that these girls are engaged in fish, processing activities in order to earn wages to support their household economy. Specifically, the study sought to identify forms of fish processing activities that girl are involved in Wagusu Beach, examine how involvement in fish processing activities affect girl child school attendance and lastly, to establish the perception of the Wagusu Beach community about the involvement of the girls in fish processing activities. This study employed Social Exclusion theory espoused by Jehoel-Gijsbers and Vrooman (2007). The study employed descriptive design involving mainly qualitative data collection techniques. The study sample included 22 girls selected from 84 girls aged between 10-15 years who were enrolled in the 2 schools around Wagusu Beach, 2 head teachers, 20 parents, 2 Beach Management Unit (BMU) officials and 1 Area Chief, who were purposively selected to participate in the study. Qualitative data were collected through Focus Group discussions with the girls and key informant interviews with the head teachers, parents, BMU officials and the area Chief. The data collected were analysed thematically. Findings showed that girls were involved in fish processing activities including drying, cleaning, packing, cutting and watching over aired fish to prevent birds from eating them. The findings also showed the working girls missed school for several days especially during peak fish harvesting periods- between November and April. Even though parents were aware that the labour denied the girls access to proper education, they felt compelled to allow them to work to contribute to the household income. Some parents felt working was okay and served the purpose of training the girls into responsible adults. The community leaders were aware about the situation but could not take any action because they felt that the families needed this extra income. Therefore, this study recommends for awareness creation on effect of this labour on education of these girls . around Wagusu Beach. There is also a need for the Government to strengthen social protection, especially extending assistance to the needy girls