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Student academic achievement is a confluence of many variables. Among the most debate is the impact of teachers on students overall academic success. Teacher characteristics that have impact on students’ achievement include academic and professional training, self-efficacy, incentive systems and attendance to class. The current study presents findings on the relationship between teacher variables and primary school students’ achievement in literacy and numeracy skills derived from Uwezo survey data in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Using chi-square correlation coefficient, the study established significant positive correlation between head teacher experience as well as teacher class attendance and student achievement in literacy and numeracy skills in the three countries. The study recommends the strengthening of teacher professional conditions and incentive structure in order improve and reinforce their continued stay in the school in order to enhance students’ learning outcomes.

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Since 1948, various UN conventions have recognised basic education as a human right. Yet this right continues to be denied to many child labourers across the world. This articles draws on the results of a study examining how children in domestic labour in Kenya access and participate in education. Three issues were explored: (1) the correlates of child domestic labourers; (2) their working conditions and contexts; and (3) the right to education. Interviews and group discussions held in one city and two rural districts elicited data from 91 child domestic labourers and 84 adults. The results indicated that child labour was both poverty-induced and adult-initiated, and that children worked in hazardous environments characterised by economic exploitation. Most did not attend school; those who did had to contend with a rigid school structure and an authoritarian class environment. Children in domestic labour often skipped school, and their participation in classes was low.