ABSTRACT

This study was carried out was to establish the effects of child abuse on pupil's academic performance in Primary Schools in Lare location, Njoro District in Kenya. The formulated objectives guided the study; to trace the prevailing form (){child abuse; to establish whether child abuse was a common practice in primary schools, to establish the relationship between child abuse and academic performance on learners. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique to pick on respondents of study. Purposive sampling allowed a researcher to use cases that had the required information with respect to the objectives of this study. Findings showed that a number (){abused children were affected on the side of behaviour and some because of abuse, stiffered permanently. They showed defiant behaviour such as being aggressive and abusive. It was also found out that abused children develop abnormal characteristics such as se(f critics and this lowered their esteem. The most common of the forms of child abuse was physical abuse according to 50% Teachers and Parents acceptance. In Lare location in Njoro district, physical abuse, violence against children was the most hazardous and merciless types of abuse. It was mostly carried out in homes by step mothers/fathers in polygamous and broken homes. It was also happening in schools commonly known as corporal punishment. With this form children were beaten, spanked, told to kneel down not at their wish, burnt and others told to dig or slash. Recommendations were also made for example Pre-service teachers must be exposed to detailed knowledge on child abuse and equipped with skills to control the offense when they are ready to go to the field as workers. Government must strengthen its policies on child security and safety both at home and school. Tough measures should be taken on the culprits who abuse children both at school and in the societies at large. Recruit teachers by gender and more emphasis should be put on the female sex for they understand the gender problem better.