CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD ABUSE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF BASIC SCHOOL PUPILS IN SUNYANI MUNICIPALITY OF GHANA

 

CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD ABUSE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF BASIC SCHOOL PUPILS IN SUNYANI MUNICIPALITY OF GHANA [PDF]

Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Augustine Owusu-Addo, Chimezie, Sandra Chiamaka, Kloh Kwasi Frank Wisdom, and Yeboah Carlos

DOI: http://doi.org/10.21681/IJMSIR-0184-0138-2021

Volume 04, pp. 81-90 February 2021

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Abstract: This research investigated the effects of child abuse on the academic performance of Basic school pupils in the Sunyani Municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to identify the personal characteristics of pupils and teachers in public Basic schools in Sunyani Municipality and determined the effects of child abuse on pupils' academic performance. Two research hypotheses were formulated in furtherance of the study; Child abuse has no significant effects on pupils' assessment grades and academic performance; Child abuse has no significant effects on pupils' participation in-class activities and academic performance. The study used the survey design and the population of the study was the public Basic schools identified in Sunyani Municipality. Twenty basic schools in the Sunyani Municipality was selected by simple random sampling technique for the study. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires. The researcher selected 1,000 pupils who constituted 3.35% of the total number of pupils, and 100 teachers who constituted 6.36% of the total number of teachers; making a total of 1,100 respondents, of which 213 pupils constitute 24.9%, between the ages of 3-6 years, 334 pupils constitute 39.0%, between the ages of 7-10 years, 310 pupils who constitute 36.2%, were between the ages of 11 years and above, while 509 pupils who constitute 59.4% are male, and 348 respondents constitute 40.6% were female. The findings of the study show that child abuse has significant effects on pupils' participation in class, pupils' assessment grades and academic performance. The study recommends that a child should not be disciplined when the adult's anger is out of control. The effects of child abuse on children's classroom behavior and later academic performance should receive attention in education policy forums; and that parents should always relate to their children with love and affection and provide for their needs.