CHILD LABOUR AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA: MICRO- ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS

The paper used field data to investigate the effect of child labour on educational outcomes among children of ages between 5-17 years in public basic schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The empirical result revealed that child labour participation significantly hinder child education outcomes. It again revealed positive relation between children from wealthiest households of the 4th and 5th quintiles and cognitive skills ability. Further, the empirical result also shows that children from mothers who are employed negatively and significantly influence child's cognitive skills ability. Also, their father's educational attainment is more likely to increase the child's cognitive skills ability. Based on the findings, Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service through the Inspectorate Board should design truancy policy that would be enforced on parents to reduce child participation in economic activities and promote the free compulsory universal basic education policy.