Child labour and schooling in Tanzania

In this paper, I examine child labour and schooling in Tanzania. I use Tanzania Labour Force Survey data containing detailed information on children aged 5–17. I find that girls are more likely to do household chores and spend more hours on household chores than boys. On the other hand, boys are more likely to do activities for pay, profit or home use and spend more hours on economic activities than girls. I also find a positive and statistically significant relationship between the number of children below 5 years (preschoolers) and the time children aged 5–17 years spend on household chores, suggesting that the latter may be spending more time caring for the former. Furthermore, I find a negative and statistically significant relationship between asset ownership and child labour. Concerning child labour and the educational performance of the children, I find that children who were engaged in household duties or economic activities, children who did any activities for pay, profit or home use and those who spent more hours on household chores are more likely to perceive that they get poor grades at school because of work. Regarding potential pathways, time spent by the children on economic activities, household chores and working in any activities for pay, profit or home use are found to affect the children's regular school attendance or studies.