ABSTRACT

Childiabour has become a growing phenomena in developing countries, including Abia State. This study examined the determinants of Childlabour in Abia State using cross sectional data derived from a random sample of 60 urban and rural children from farm households. Probit regression and correlation modes were used in data analysis. Result indicate that age of the child, years of education of the child, if son or daughter of the household head, value of the contribution of the child, sex of the child, if son or daughter of the household head and years of completed education of the household head were statistically significant determinants of child labour in farm households. It was conducted that if the economic conditions of the households were not improved significantly to the extent of lifting them out of the grips of low educational levels and income childlabour use in farm activities would continue to persist irrespective of international and national resolutions, regulations and legislations to curb the menace of childlabour. Based on the findings of this research, it was recommended that the child's educational level should be enhanced through increasing the income of the households. As the problems of child labour are assuming a wider dimension, there is need for public awareness campaign on its consequences. All the 3 tiers of governments must live up to their responsibilities through legislation and enforcement. Hopefully the government's free and compulsory Universal Basic Education (UBE) will go along way in abating this unhealthy practice.