One million children are out of school and are said to be working in hazardous conditions, a workshop was told.

The forum organised by the Ministry of Labour and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) yesterday heard that despite 20 per cent of the country’s GDP going towards education, a significant number of children do not attend school.

Speaking during the workshop at a Nairobi Hotel, Head of Child Labour Division in the ministry of labour Elizabeth Onuko said retention of children in schools remains a challenge.

Mrs Onuko said: "Even with free primary education, Kenya has only managed to reduce the number of child labourers from 1.9 million to 1.1 million.

Child Labourers

"Slightly over one million children are out of school with 800,000 being classified as child labourers.

"It is unclear why it is difficult to retain these children in school, majority of who are aged between 12 and 17 years old."

She said there is urgent need for a policy to address the issue of retention and transition from primary to secondary schools.

Weak Policies

Onuko said that despite the country ratifying the ILO Convention on Elimination of Child Labour, policies to facilitate implementation of the same remain weak.

The fight against child labour is further impeded by lack of funding and escalating levels of poverty.

"There is rampant child labour due to the high vulnerability of children especially with the spread of HIV where children are orphaned at alarming rates," she said.

It is estimated 300 million children aged between five and 14 years are engaged in child labour worldwide.

Hazardous conditions

"The children work in dehumanising, exploitative, and hazardous conditions where they are overworked and underpaid," said Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Labour Ayumba Namwaya.

The workshop was organised ahead of celebrations to mark the day against child labour on June 12.

The World Day Against Child Labour this year marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the ILO Convention No. 182, which addresses the need for action to tackle the vice.