ABSTRACT

The study to observe the effects child abuse in academic performance of pre-primary school pupils in Akwanga, Local government area, Nasarawa State was conducted. The results of the analysis showed that child abuse is real as viewed by the respondents. Also, there was a gap between parents and their children as a result of abuse. Right of children were not respected hence, government should enact laws to guide child abuse. Some useful recommendations such as public enlightenment regarding all form of child abuse should be supported. Awareness should be created among teachers and school managers using seminar, workshops and training programmes concerning child abuse.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.1     Background to the Study

Globally, childhood is regarded as a period of sensitivity requiring special attention, care and protection. In the traditional African context, children were not allowed to listen to adults' conversations let alone, make comment or contributions. In the same vein, the school system was not an exception to this scenario. Teachers only permit children or students to make contributions when they deemed it necessary in the classroom. In 1959, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed into bill that the Child Rights Act which was adopted by all member states. Expectedly, the Child Right Act addresses the rights of children and youths under 18years of age and covers every other right of the children from health care to education, from exploitation and right to their own opinion. In the same vein, the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1989 estimates that (80) million children aged 18 and below are engaged as laborers across the world and another two (2) million is involved in prostitution. The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) as a way out of this menace, adopted the convention on the rights of the child in 1989 and over 178 countries including Nigeria, have since expressed satisfaction by ratifying it. Child abuse according to Khartri, (2004) is the employment, use of persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child to engage in or assist any other person to engage in any sexual explicit conduct or the simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Meek, Heit and Page (1996), defined child abuse as maltreatment of a person under the age of Eighteen. It can also be defined as intentional treatment of children by adults in a cruel or violent way involving maltreatment of children, sexual harassment, denial of education, child labour, intimidation and molestation, physical assault, neglect and child trafficking among others, African Network for Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Umobong (2010), defines child abuse as "the intentional, unintentional or well intentional acts which endanger the physical health, emotional and the educational welfare of children". Child abuse means different things to different people. Umobong et al (2015) believed that child abuse can be seen as any act of omission or commission, or psychological mistreatment or neglect of a child by caregivers, parents wards or other adults that may endanger the child’s physical, psychological or emotional health and development. In this definition, wrongfully, maltreating a child or selfishly making an unfair use of a child’s services by adults who are responsible for the child constitutes child abuse.

Thus, the adult may not be directly related to the child but a person in whose care the child is left can be an abuser. This may include the educators, healthcare workers, day care workers or other responsible adults (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2008).

As a matter of fact, it is generally agreed that children are the future generation, the leaders of tomorrow and the state representatives ot the larger society. To blend into the macro society and effectively perform these duties, the rights of the youths cannot be over emphasized thus, denied. In recognition of the above socio-cultural and educational dimension of the child, the United Nations, European Union, African Union and UNICEF, have all joined efforts in advocating for protection of the right and well-being of children. Among other provisions, UNICEF and the National Policy on children, grant children the following rights:

v Protection against indecent and in-human treatment like abuse and neglect.

v Provision of a conducive environment to promote early stimulation to learning for the child.

v Entitlement of every child (male/female) to receive compulsory basic education and equal opportunity for higher education,

v Promotion and encouragement of child friendly principles in all relevant institutions.

In this present day, children in Akwanga local government of Nasarawa state are abused, abandoned, discarded without any fault of theirs. The world around them is most devoid of every trace of filial love and robs them of all the benefit of good living, which their privileged counterparts often taken for granted. As a result of this it has a great effect on their academic performance, The resultant effect on abused children are depression from shame, poor sleep patterns of health problem, psychosocial dysfunctions, low self-esteem, food insecurity, severe brain damage, extremely violent behavior, attention disorder, poor peer relations SKurtz, Gauctin, Wodciarski, Houting,( 1993).

The importance of this study cannot be over emphasized as the impact of child abuse is far greater than its immediate visible effects. The abuse children experience can shape their development negatively with dire consequences of adult life. These negative consequences will affect not only the child and the family but the society as a whole. Children are not only the most vulnerable class of people but the most important as they represent the future of the families, society, community in particular and the world in general. Judging from the categories and impact of child abuse, this research focuses attentions on the extent to which the above indices of child abuse affects the academic performance of children in Akwanga local government of Nasarawa State as regards their reading habits, subject mastery, classroom participation, pass grades in examination and submission of assignment regularly. Therefore, the effect of child abuse on the academic performance of a child in Akwangalocal government of Nasarawa State as a study is the main target of research.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

The researchers seek to find solutions on how to eradicate shame, poor sleep patterns of health problem, psychosocial dysfunctions, low self-esteem, food insecurity, parental depression, severe brain damage, extremely violent behavior, attention disorder and poor peer relations, as a problem affecting abused pupils in pre-primary school.

1.3     Purpose of the Study

The general objective of this study is to examine the effect of child abuse on the academic performance of children in some selected pre-primary schools in Akwanga local government of Nasarawa State. However, the specific objectives of the study are:

1.    To determine difference between abused and non-abused pupils in their reading habits.

2.    To find out if these is any difference between abused and non-abused pupils in their mastery of subject.

3.    To examine if there is any difference between abused and non-abused pupils in their classroom participation.

4.    To ascertain if there is any difference between abused and non-abused pupils in their pass grade in examination.

5.    To find out whether there is any difference between abused and non-abused pupils in their submission of assignments.

1.4     Scope And Delimitation of the Study

Geographically, this research is restricted to Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa state where conceptually, it is concerned with surveying the patterns effects of child abuse on pupils' academic achievement in some selected pre- primary school. Such other issue as child abandonment, child labour, sexual abuse, medical neglect etc. is not the concern of this research even though they are relevant and related to the study.

1.5     Significance of the Study

This study will contribute to existing literature with regards to the effect of child abuse on youth's academic performance. It proffers useful suggestions to make amends, in terms of behavioural change on the part of stakeholders of children to show utmost love and care, also to remove, psychosocial dysfunctions, low self- esteem, food insecurity, parental depression, severe brain damage, extremely violent behaviour, attention disorder and poor peer relations and install full privilege of health, academic love, care and respect from their peer groups.

1.6     Research Questions

The following questions were formulated to serve as a guide to the study:

1.    Is the view about child abuse real?

2.    Is the gap between parents and their children are as a result of abuse?

3.    Are right of children are not respected?

4.    Do you think government can help in reducing child abuse?

5.    Do you think government should create a law guiding child abuse?

6.    Is there any difference between the abused child and the non- abused child in academic performance?

1.7     Scope of the Study

This research work is aimed at child abuse and its effect on the academic performance of children in nursery schools, using some selected nursery schools in Akwanga Local government of Nasarawa state as a case study.

1.8     Operational Definition of Terms

To understand the research, the following definitions of terms will be made clear as used in the research.

Abuse: this is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of a person or animal. It is also the illegal, improper or harmful use of something.

Reinforcement: the addition of strengthening or supporting material to make something stronger or more durable.

Cognitive: relating to the process of acquiring knowledge by the use of reasoning, intuitions, or perception.

Capacity: mental or physical ability for something or to do something

Intellectual: having a highly developed ability to think, reason and understand, especially in combination with wide knowledge.

Screaming: a continuous loud, piercing, high pitch cry, uttered in fear, pain, excitement, or amusement.

Maltreatment: to have cruelly or unkindly toward a person or animal, especially by neglecting their welfare.

Frequently: on many occasions with little time between them.

Forcefully: tending to make a powerful impression on people or to persuade people.

Exploitation: the practice of taking selfish or unfair advantage of a person or situation usually for personal gain.

Molestation: to force unwanted sexual attentions on somebody especially a child or physical weak adult. It is also to disturb, pester or bother a person or animal

Trafficking: the illegal practice of procuring human beings for unpaid work in physically abusive settings or location for which they are not allowed to leave.

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