| School-leaving age |
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343. The Education Act 11 of 1997, section 27, makes provision for compulsory education. The compulsory school age is defined to be from 5 years of age to 16-years of age. Section 36 legislates that it is the duty of parents to ensure that the child receives an education by regular attendance at a school. Section 38 of the Act also makes provision for school attendance counsellors to assist teachers in the counselling of children of compulsory school age and their parents in the enforcement of the compulsory attendance provisions of the Act. However, no such officers have been appointed.
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| Minimum age of employment |
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58. The Employment of Children (Prohibition) Act (chap. 90:05) defines a child as "a person who is under the age of twelve years". Section 3 of that Act prohibits the employment of persons under that age. The prohibition, however, does not include engagement of children in domestic or agricultural work of a light nature at home by parents or guardians of the child.
59. The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act (chap. 90:06, sect. 4 (1)) states: "No child shall be employed or work in any public or private industrial undertaking, or in any branch thereof, other than an undertaking in which only members of the same family are employed."
60. The Act defines a child as a person under the age of 14 years.
61. In reference to hazardous employment, the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, (chap. 90:06) defines a child as "a person under the age of fourteen years". A young person means a person who has ceased to be a child and who is under the age of 18 years.
62. The Act states that no child shall be employed or work on any ship. In respect of young persons, section 7 (1) states: "No young person shall be employed or work during the night in any public or private industrial undertaking, other than an undertaking in which only members of the same family are employed."
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| Minimum age for marriage |
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65. The minimum age at which someone may enter marriage is 16 years. The Marriage Act, (chap. 35:01, sect. 29 (2)) states: "Any marriage solemnised or celebrated between persons of whom is under the age of sixteen years shall be null and void."
66. The Act specifies that where either of the parties, not being a widower or widow, is under the age of 18 years, no marriage shall take place between them until the consent of a parent or guardian is obtained. The court may dispense with such consent on the application to the court by either party (sect. 31).
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| Minimum age for criminal responsibility |
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69. The Children and Young Persons Act also fixes the age of criminal responsibility. Section 3 states, "it shall be conclusively presumed that no child under the age of twelve years can be guilty of an offence". […]
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