Socioeconomic factors influencing Child Labour and Educational Opportunities in Afghan Refugees Communities in Peshawar and Jalalabad

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of child labour on the educational outcomes and school attendance of Afghan refugee children in Peshawar and Jalalabad. Data reveals that 36.66% of these children work 9-11 hours daily, which severely affects their ability to attend school regularly and perform well academically. Those working over 12 hours face even greater challenges, including worsened health and minimal educational time. Financial constraints, inadequate resources, and cultural barriers are major factors driving children to leave school, with 28.87% citing household financial weakness as a primary reason. The Covid-19 pandemic further exacerbated school dropout rates, contributing to 9.6% of the cases. The educational level among the 68 enrolled students is notably low, with high dropout rates as they advance through grades. Only 11.6% complete middle-level education and many students attend religious Madrassas instead of formal schools. Irregular attendance and poor academic performance are common, with only 11.77% attending school regularly. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these challenges and improve educational access and quality for child labourers.