Indonesian Teachers' Perspectives on the Impact of Child Work on Students' Learning Outcomes

• In Event: Teaching Reading and Writing to Students With Special Abilities

Abstract

The relationship between educational failure and child work has been found in many studies. Some claim that child work does not impact significantly on students’ attendance, while others argue that child workers suffer from low achievement. This research examined the perspectives of teachers in five junior high schools in Kupang, Indonesia, focusing on child workers’ learning engagement and achievement.

The results of this study suggest that working did not impede school attendance. However, this study indicated that child workers who had high intensity of work were likely to disengage and fail. Physical tiredness, lack of parental attention and psychological challenges were detrimental factors. A strategy that includes parental attention, psychological approaches and government policies could contribute to child workers’ success.

Authors

• Robertus Raga Djone, Asia Education Foundation

• Anne Suryani, The University of Melbourne