PREVALENCE AND EFFECT OF CHILD ABUSE AMONG PARENTS ON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN KANKARA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

This research investigates the effects of child abuse on academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kankara Local Government Area. Specifically, the study tried to identify the personal characteristics of students and teachers in public senior secondary schools in Kankara Local Government Area and investigate the effect of child abuse on students’ academic performance in secondary schools. In order to achieve these objectives, the following research questions were advanced: (i) What is the prevalence of child abuse among parents in Kankara Local Government Area? (ii) How does child abuse affect the academic performance of senior secondary school students in the area? (iii) Which types of child abuse are most common in Kankara Local Government Area? The study used a survey design, and the population of the study was 300 public secondary school students identified in Kankara Local Government Area. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires and analyzed using simple percentages. A cut-off mean of 2 points was used as the benchmark for answering the research questions. The findings revealed that child abuse has significant effects on students’ assessment grades and participation in class activities. The study concluded that child abuse has significant effects on students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools. Recommendations were made for education policy attention, parental care and affection, public enlightenment programs, avoidance of corporal punishment, provision of child-friendly school environments, professionalization of teaching, and strict penalties for sexual abuse.