INCOMPETENCY OF THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL AUTHORITY AND CHILD ABUSE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (A CASE STUDY OF EDO COLLEGE)

INCOMPETENCY OF THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL AUTHORITY AND CHILD ABUSE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (A CASE STUDY OF EDO COLLEGE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

For two primary reasons, early childhood educators’ knowledge and awareness of child safety has far-reaching implications for children in early childhood settings such as daycare, nursery, and the early years of school. To begin, complex issues such as abuse, neglect, and violence (child maltreatment) can have an impact on how children learn and grow. As a result, early childhood educators must be aware of the context and consequences of child abuse on the psychological development of children (Moss, 1990). Learning opportunities can be realized successfully when children feel safe and valued, and are protected from all types of harm (Shonk, 2001). Maltreatment, on the other hand, has a negative impact on children’s behavior and makes it more difficult for them to form social interactions. in school (Mndzebele, 2009). These behaviors are frequently misunderstood by teachers, who may end up causing more harm to the child if they are unprepared (Turney, 2005). Second, aside from the family, early childhood educators spend the most time with children of any professional (Mndzebele, 2009). While their primary goal is to support children’s learning, development, and well-being, early childhood educators are in a unique position to assist in the early detection and response when developmental needs are harmed as a result of maltreatment (Vilakazi, 2003). Younger children are more vulnerable to abuse and neglect than older children or teenagers (Shonk, 2001), and they are more likely to be exposed to family violence (Shonket). al, 2008). As a result, early childhood educators are more likely to be the first to notice child protection issues and to alert other professionals, such as social workers or police (Ladd et al, 2000). It has been claimed that maltreated children who are constantly in survival mode are more vulnerable to the stress response, a complex series of chemical and neurological processes in the brain (Zolotoret al., 2009). As a result of the sympathetic nervous system’s activation, the stress response stimulates a natural impulse to fight, flee, or freeze (Rew, 1999). While these stress reactions can be beneficial, when a child is constantly stressed, survival responses can become a habitual way of life.

of operation (Rew, 1999). This means that an abused child may react to their surroundings as if they are in danger even when there are no dangers present due to a persistent state of anxiety.

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

Child abuse has an impact on the educational system, and the school has considerable power to intervene. Child abuse has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria, and it has only gotten worse for the country as a whole. Child abuse has a long history in Edo State’s Esan West Local Government Area, dating back to the outbreak of the scourge in Nigeria. Child abuse included, among other things, child abuse, child labor, child abandonment, neglect, adolescent prostitution, and early sexual exploitation.

marriage, as well as forced marriage.

Although school, as a socialization agent, promises to have a powerful and overwhelming impact on a child’s development, observation has revealed that the essence of education is likely to be destroyed if children are regularly forced to endure the sufferings of child abuse (Larkin. 2009). The focus of this study, however, is on the extent to which the school has been involved in the development of children within a societal environment of child abuse. The study’s goal is to learn about the primary causes of child maltreatment and how these factors affect a child’s educational performance.

1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVE

The study’s overarching goal is to:

i. Investigate the causes of child abuse at

Edo University

ii. To ascertain the impact of child abuse on Edo college students.

iii. To look into how Edo College’s administration prevents child abuse.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

The following research questions guide the study’s objective.

i. What factors contribute to child abuse at Edo College?

ii. What impact does child abuse have on Edo college students?

iii. How has the Edo College school administration reduced child abuse?

1.5 THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE

The goal of this research is to provide parents and school officials with a better understanding of the impact that child maltreatment, particularly after-school hawking, can have on a student’s academic development in general. The study’s findings are critical because they will

Parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators, and all other stakeholders in the educational system will benefit from increased awareness of child abuse issues. Such knowledge may deter future acts of child exploitation, especially when the child is used as a source of family income. Hawking undoubtedly exposes the child to a variety of societal vices, so the study’s goal of developing a model for appropriate child rearing in society justifies it. This research will add to the existing body of knowledge on the subject and will be a resource for academics, researchers, and students interested in conducting future research on this or a related topic.

1.6 STUDY OBJECTIVES

The study focused on the effects of school management negligence on children.

The case study was Edo College in Edo State, Nigeria.

1.7 STUDY LIMITATIONS

The study was hampered by time and financial constraints.

1.8 TERM DEFINITION

INCOMPETENCY: The inability to do something legally, particularly testify or stand trial.

SCHOOL MANAGEMENT: School management is the process of leading a school toward development by maximizing not only the use of human resources, physical resources, principles, and concepts that aid in the achievement of all of the school’s objectives, but also the proper coordination and adjustment of all of them.

CHILD ABUSE: Child abuse is more than just physical violence against a child.