INFLUENCE OF EARLY GIRL CHILD MARRIAGE ON SCHOOLING IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA PLATEAU STATE.
Abstract
This study examined the influence of early girl child on schooling in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The objectives were to determine the effect of early girl child marriage, assess the influence of cultural beliefs on the practice, and examine its impact on academic performance. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consisted of 720 young married girls, out of which a sample of 200 respondents was selected using the convenient sampling technique. A structured researcher-made questionnaire titled Effects of Early Marriage on Girl-Child Education (EMGCE-Q) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in Educational Research and Curriculum Studies, and reliability was established using test–retest with Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, with 2.50 set as the decision benchmark. The findings revealed that early marriage discourages girls from furthering their education, slows their academic performance, and forces many to drop out of school. Cultural beliefs and traditions were found to strongly reinforce early marriage practices, thereby limiting girls’ educational opportunities. The results also showed that early marriage makes it difficult for girls to cope during learning, reduces concentration, increases societal illiteracy, and contributes to reproductive health challenges. Contrary to common beliefs, respondents disagreed that early marriage reduces poverty or guarantees marital happiness. The study concluded that early marriage has profound negative effects on girl-child education, perpetuating illiteracy, poor academic performance, and gender inequality. It recommended that schools, parents, community leaders, and policymakers intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of early marriage, enforce existing laws, and promote girl-child education as a strategy for reducing poverty and fostering development.
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