The Impact of Child Labour on Early Childhood Development and Learning: A Case of Gweru District

- This study examined manifestations and patterns of child labour as it relates to ECD children-s learning and development. A qualitative research approach was used in this research. Participants of this research were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews and document analysis were used to collect data. Participants included parents and children from Gweru urban and peri- urban schools, farms, mining areas and sub-urban residential areas. Data from transcribed interviews and documents was thematically analysed in line with the qualitative research approaches. The study revealed that Early Childhood children participated in working activities ranging from weeding, gold panning, caring for the sick, vending and begging in streets. The study concluded that parents violate children-s rights through child labour, which deprives children from developing and learning effectively. To curb child labour and protect the rights of children, the study recommends enforcement of policies, budgeting for free primary education by the Government to allow working children access ECD and refrain from working activities, and holding awareness campaigns on children-s rights.