Perspectives of Working Children on their Education and Life Goals: A Case Study

Abstract

Despite several interventions from the public, private and NGO sectors, the sustainability of education for working children has always been a challenge in Pakistan. Setting life goals is the first step towards achieving them, and setting life goals itself is a life skill, not possessed by everyone. Children who possess this valuable skill tend to perform better in managing their careers, time, and life. A framework proposed by Cassandra Massey quite explicitly explains the various factors that working children need to consider and focus on while pursuing their life goals. It comprises eight attributes, including Self-care, Relationships, Money, Personal development, Home-life, Community, Passions, and Work-life. It is essential to know-how and to what extent these attributes affect the education and life goals of working children to understand their perspectives. The multiple case study research design was used in this study to illustrate the issue and getting similar and contrasting patterns from responses of the five cases. Findings from all five case studies that there exists a high determination and commitment towards education, and 4 out of 5 cases expressed there are high chances for them to be able to achieve their life goals. Based on findings various implications are discussed.