Impact of child labor on academic performance: Evidence from the program “Edúcame Primero Colombia”

► We evaluated the impact of the characteristics of child labor on academic performance. ► Labor conditions, hours per week and working in the morning negatively affect academic performance. ► Micro-interventions in specific elements of child labor can be combined with comprehensive strategies for prevention and eradication. ► Educational interventions such as those from the program “Edúcame Primero Colombia” help cushion the impact of child labor on academic performance.