International Contract Migration and Children Left Behind: Impacts on children’s School Enrolment in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study attempts to analyse the impact of labour migration on the education of children of the migrants. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used. Data from Population and Housing Census of 2001 was used as was data from in depth interviews of migrant families. Surprisingly, it was revealed that parental migration had a positive impact on school enrolment and also the quality of education, when compared to children of non migrants. These findings contradict the previous held views that parental migration had a negative impact on children’s’ education, which influenced the policy makers to consider banning of mother migrations. However, policy makers should now pay more attention to providing social protection systems for children of migrant parents, and programmes for care givers and spouses, to mitigate the negative effects of migration.