In Cameroon, household fishing activities increase school dropout
According to a study, school dropout increases by 8% for every unit increase in fishery income, with this effect being most pronounced at the primary education level.
In Cameroon, the fishing industry is the most important source of animal protein in the diet of the population. The country produces around 230 000 tons of fish per year, which is below the national demand estimated at 500 000 tons per year.
According to the Mission for the Development of Artisanal Maritime Fishing (MIDEPECAM) created in 1977 to support artisanal fishing, the number of fishermen is currently estimated at around 20,000 for artisanal maritime fishing, and 40,000 for inland fishing, while nearly 180,000 people are engaged in secondary fishing activities (processing, storage, distribution, and fish trade. ).
Numerous studies highlight that higher household income from sustainable fishery practices often leads to improved nutrition and health, which are crucial for cognitive development and academic success.
And adequate nutrition, facilitated by access to fish as a protein source, is essential for enhancing students’ concentration and learning capabilities, other researchers say.
511 fishermen
However, the relationship is not always positive. In many fishing-dependent communities, children are often engaged in fishing-related activities, which can detract from their time and energy for schooling.
According to a study published in the Journal of the Knowledge Economy, school dropout increases by 8% for every unit increase in fishery income, with this effect being most pronounced at the primary education level in Cameroon.
To understand the impact of fishing activities on education, the researchers from the Universities of Dschang in Cameroon and Johannesbourg in South Africa collected data on 511 fishermen and fish farmers, in 25 fishing communities (marine fishing and inland fishing) across the country between September 1, 2023, and February 1, 2024.
They also analyzed whether government policies targeting fishery resources and incomes can serve as levers to improve educational performance and productivity in Cameroon’s fishing communities.
Two fishermen in Youpwe, in Cameroon. Josiane Kouagheu / Agripreneurs d’Afrique.
They found that participation in fishing activities is associated with significantly lower school attendance and educational attainment among children in fishing household
They also discovered “a striking correlation” between rising fishing income and the increasing likelihood of school dropouts within fishing communities in Cameroon, with 51.08% of households reporting at least one school dropout.
“Education… financial burden“
Specifically, their analysis demonstrates that for every one monetary unit (FCFA) increase in fishing income, the probability of a household member dropping out of school rises by 8%.
“This trend underscores a significant socio-economic dynamic in these communities, where education is often perceived as a financial burden rather than an investment in the future,” the scientists wrote, adding that this situation applies to increasing fishing efforts, which similarly tend to increase school dropout probability.
Families then prioritize immediate income generation through fishing over the long-term benefits of education, pulling children out of school to train them in the trade.
“This practice reflects a widespread belief that education represents an unproductive expense, yielding uncertain returns compared to the tangible and immediate gains of contributing to the household livelihood,” the team noted.
A pattern that illustrates a cyclical challenge where short-term financial decisions undermine long-term human capital development, perpetuating poverty and limiting upward mobility for future generations, the authors highlighted.
The paper stated that only 29.7% of household heads have completed at least primary education, reflecting low levels of educational attainment among adults, which likely impacts their ability to prioritize or support children’s education.
Moreover, the investigation found that as education levels increase, fewer students achieve high performance, partly due to limited access to quality resources, long travel distances to urban institutions, and the challenges of accessing higher education in fishing communities.
Long-term investment
Additionally, the marked drop in secondary and tertiary performance aligns with the increasing need for children to contribute to household incomes, emphasizing the socio-economic challenges that disrupt educational continuity, the researchers found.
Over one-third of households experience educational disengagement. This effect is stronger in coastal communities and among displaced and migrant households, reflecting heightened vulnerability.
“For marine fishing communities, fishing serves as the primary and often sole means of livelihood, making it difficult to prioritize schooling without external interventions,” the scientists wrote.
“The economic demands of marine fishing not only discourage educational enrollment but also perpetuate the notion that schooling is a long-term investment with limited immediate benefits.”
Among those households with “the higher dropout rates” which reflect the “greater economic reliance on fishing as a primary livelihood… children are often viewed as essential contributors to household income.”
Without alternative means of support, these households view fishing as indispensable to their survival, preventing children from focusing on or attending school.
The findings further highlighted that fishing activities negatively impact educational infrastructure and enrollment rates, particularly in marine fishing communities, where fishing is a year-round activity requiring the full participation of family members, including children.
Food security
On the other hand, inland fishing households display a more balanced approach, with some children encouraged to attend school, particularly those not yet contributing significantly to family income.
“Inland fishing communities, however, show slightly better educational outcomes due to income diversification and proximity to better educational infrastructure.”
But even among inland communities, the team discovered that pressure is minimal for children already earning from fishing.
While fishing activities are a significant barrier to education, they remain the primary means of livelihood for many households, the researchers acknowledged adding that, families cannot afford to prioritize their children’s education over fishing without external support or interventions that help balance these competing needs.
A fisherman in Cameroon. Josiane Kouagheu / Agripreneurs d’Afrique.
They found for example that food security plays a “critical role” in reducing school dropout. And when households achieve food security, the economic pressure to involve children in fishing or other income-generating activities is reduced.
Moreover, food-secure households can afford educational expenses, such as school fees and materials, enabling children to stay in school.
Infrastructure variables, such as education facilities and network services, also significantly reduce dropout rates, underscoring the importance of accessible schools and connectivity in fostering educational participation.
Flexible education models
But the investigation also found that the impact of these infrastructural developments requires careful planning and alignment with the unique socio-economic realities of fishing communities.
For instance, transport infrastructure presents a more complex relationship with education and fishing activities. While better transportation can increase access to schools, it can also inadvertently facilitate fishing trade, potentially reinforcing the economic dependency that drives school dropout rates.
“Improved roads and transportation networks might lead to an expansion of fishing markets, requiring even more household labour and diverting children further from education,” the study highlighted.
For the researchers, policymakers must adopt a “balanced approach” to improving education in these communities by ensuring that transport improvements are coupled with incentives for school attendance, such as scholarships or school feeding programs, the potential negative effects on education can be mitigated.
“Constructing schools closer to fishing communities, equipping them with necessary resources, and hiring trained educators can help bridge the accessibility gap,” they wrote.
“It is crucial to introduce flexible education models tailored to the unique needs of fishing communities. Programs such as evening or weekend schools, vocational training linked to fishing, and adult education for parents can create a more inclusive educational framework.”
Josiane Kouagheu
