Influence Of Child Abuse And Neglect On Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students

This study examined the influence of child abuse and neglect on academic performance of secondary school students in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. In carryout this study four research questions were formulated to guide the study. There was a review on the related literature conducted under the following: An overview of child abuse and neglect on the academic performance of students, factors responsible for child abuse and neglect, effects of child abuse and neglect in general. Survey design was used for the study. A sample of 100 teachers from a population of 702 teachers from the affected schools was used. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to the sampled teachers. The responses were analysed using mean and frequency. The results of the data analyses identified family size and home condition as some of the factors that lead to child abuse and neglect. On the effects of child abuse and neglect on academic performance, there were poor performance because their minds were centered on money making ventures they were forced to embark upon. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that (i) a serious campaign should be mounted against the practice of child abuse and neglect both the government and the school guidance and counseling units (ii) Teachers should be encouraged to take adequate care of children noticed to have been abused and neglected.