ABSTRACT

This study examined risky behavior adopted by the young people in selected primary schools, and how this has affected their academic progress in Kalisizo Sub County. The researcher adopted the following objectives for the study; to investigate the common types of risky behavior adopted by youth, to find out why the youth have adopted such risky behavior and to assess the negative outcomes of the youth risky behavior. Using a convenient sampling technique, a total of twenty four respondents were picked at random to participate in this study. Quantitative and qualitative methods were also used in this study. Finding in the study established that rate of crime and violence amongst the young people of school going age was moderate as per seventeen teachers, although three teachers rated it as high. It was also established that due to poverty, some children fail to enroll in school. Also findings shows that fewer schools offered parents and caregivers support in effective parenting even fewer schools offered vocational skills to young boys and girls, that just in case they do not make it they can continue earning a living. Recommendations were also made. Remedial education to those young boys and girls who have already adopted at risk behavior must be provided. This therefore calls for school based diagnosis.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

LIST OF TABLES

ABSTRACT

DEFINITION OF TERMS

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of the study

1.1 Statement of the problem

1.2 Objectives of the study

1.2.1 General objective

1.2.2 Specific objectives

1.3 Research questions

1.4 Scope of the study

1.5 Significance

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research design

3.2 Study area

3.3 Sample framework

3.3.1 Sample size

3.3.2 Sample technique

3.3.3 Sample procedure

3.4 Methods for data collection

3.4.1 Instruments

3.4.2 Sources of data

3.5 Data processing and analysis

CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.0 Introduction

4.1 Background characteristics of teachers

4.1.1 Age of respondents

4.1.2 Qualification of teachers

4.1.3 Numbers of years in the teaching profession

4.2 Common forms of risky behavior

4.2.1 The prevalence of school absenteeism and drop out among the pupils in upper primary

4.2.2 Prevalence of violence and crime among children aged 12 and above in primary schools

4.2.3 Early sex and pregnancy among the girls aged 12 and above

4.2.3 Cases of early pregnancies reported in primary schools

4.2.4 Violent and criminal children in schools

4.2.5 Prevalence of alcohol and drug in primary schools

4.3 Why the young pupils in schools have adopted at risk behavior

4.3.1 Factors which have led children to adopt at risk behavior

4.3.2 How poverty influences at risk behavior

4.3.3 How parental support could expose children to risk factors

4.3.4 Vulnerability of children and at risk behavioral tendencies

4.4 Outcomes of at risk behavior

4.5 What has been done to address the youth at risk behavior

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Introduction

5.1 Summary of findings

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendations

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Questionnaire for Teachers

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Presents the prevalence of learners school drop out and level of absenteeism 17

Table 2: Presents teachers ratings of the prevalence of violence and crime 18 Table 3: Presents the prevalence of children who have already engaged or show signs of getting involved in early sex 18

Table 4: Presents the number of girls who had become pregnant 19

Table 5: Presents factors which have led children to adopt at risk behavior 22

Table 6: Presents teachers views on how poverty has forced children into risky behavior 23

Table 7: Presents the teachers views of how lack of parental support would influence at risk behavior 24

Table 8: Presents teachers opinions on how vulnerability of children exposes to risk behavior 25

Table 9: Presents the views of how learners with at risk behavior have been affected 26

Table 10: Presents the ways in which the community has worked to reduce at risk behavior 27 ix