The Effect of Child Abuse on Students Academic Performance in Government Aided and Private Secondary Schools in Nyimbwa Sub-county, Luweero District, Uganda.

Abstract

This study explored the effects of child abuse on students’ academic performance in government aided and private secondary schools in Nyimbwa Sub County, Luweero District, Uganda. The problem of variations in students’ academic performance in both government and private secondary schools has persisted in Uganda despite relentless efforts by the government and various education development partners to remedy the problem. The study sought to critically find out the effects of child abuse which is the independent variable through its constructs such as child neglect, child sexual abuse and physical injury and students academic performance as the dependent variable in terms of quality of grades and pass rates in both national and internal examinations in two secondary schools that is Ndejje Secondary School (government aided) in comparison with Ndejje Day Vocational Secondary School (private). These were chosen to be representatives of twenty eight secondary schools in Nyimbwa Sub County, Luweero District. Both qualitative and quantitative data approaches were used during the study and these included interviews, questionnaires and documentary Review methods. Fifteen Interviews were conducted with seven selected students, six teachers and two headteachers. Two hundred and thirty questionnaires were filled by the sampled students within a period of one month. The respondents in the categories were selected using both probability, non probability sampling techniques and written documents such as text books, official documents were also used. The research findings collected using descriptive statistics revealed that child abuse is still rampant. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and linear regression using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of quantitative data showed that the independent variable namely child abuse has less significant effects on students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Nyimbwa Sub County, Luweero District, Uganda .While the qualitative data concurs with the hypotheses. It is upon this background that the research called upon the government of Uganda, associated Non Governmental Organizations, International Organizations and the populace to foster a sustainable child abuse strategy in the fight against child abuse in Uganda.