Domestic Violence And Children’s Academic Performance In U1ganda; A Case Study Of Buwenge Town Council, Kagoma Constituency, Jinja District, Eastern Uganda.

ABSTRACT

Domestic violence refers to acts of violence that occur between people who have, or have had, an intimate relationship in domestic settings. Over the recent years, recognition of the scope and significance of domestic violence globally has increased. Domestic violence can impact anyone regardless of their gender, race, age, culture or religion, however, most often women and

children are the victims of domestic violence. The purpose of the study was to establish the impacts of Domestic Violence on Children’s Academic Performance in Buwenge Town Council, Kagoma Constituency, Jinja District, Eastern Uganda. The specific objectives were to; find out the various forms of Don~stic Violence, identify the causes of domestic violence, establish how

Domestic Violence affects Children’s Academic Performance and also find out strategies that can be put in place to stop domestic violence and improve Children’s Academic Performance in Buwenge Town Council, Kagoma Constituency, Jinja District, Eastern Uganda. The study covered a period of three months from February to April, 2018. The Descriptive research design

was used. The sample size was 42 determined by Slovene’s formula and they included; teachers,

students & pupils, Local Leaders, District Police Commander (DPC), Police Officers in the CFPU and CLO, District Education Officer (DEO) and the local community members. The Sampling techniques were Purposive sampling and Simple random sampling. The Primary data sources ~ere questionnaires, Focused Group Discussions, observation and interview schedules

while ~e~ondary data was got from reviewing related literature in text books, journals, articles and news~apers. Data was analyzed by use of frequency distribution tables hence that data was presented in form of percentages, frequencies and pie-charts. The main causes of DV are;

Poverty (26%), low levels of education (14%), cultural beliefs (12%), polygamy (12%), lack of public awareness/ignorance (10%), gender inequality/Women’s emancipation campaigns (7%), alcoholism (7%), infidelity (5%), the presence of weak laws & policies (5%) and finally poor enforcement of laws & policies (2%). DV affects children’s academic performance mainly

through high levels of school dropouts and absenteeism (24%), lack of concentration (19%), post trauma, stress and depression (24%), poor academic performance (14%), no scholastic materials/basic needs provided (12%) and inferiority complex (7%). the following strategies were suggested by the respondents to offer lasting solutions to DV and Children’s academic

performance; Community policing, enacting stringent laws & policies, introduction of IGAs by NGOs and the government, sensitization of the masses, reporting offenders of DV to concerned authorities, suing in court, improve parent-child relationship, enhance teacher-parent

relationship, School Management Committees (SMCs) should be Strengthened, regular inspection of schools and provision of scholastic materials by the Central government. The conclusions from study were; thcre is a high rate of poverty which is making people very

vulnerable to the various forms. of DV especially economic/financial abuse, prevalence of DV has also been fostered by poor implementation of the laws and policies and DV causes a serious negative effect on children’s academic performance witnessed by the high rates of school dropouts, absenteeism and lack of scholastic materials among others.The researcher

recommended the following; Massive sensitization campaigns need to be carried out, more Income Generating Activities (IGAs) need to be introduced to the area, public participation in decision-making to matters pertaining them should be emphasized with gender equality, monitoring academic programmes, more NGOs should be invited to operate in the area that can

deal with pressing issues that affect children’s proper learning, also regular meetings should be organized in schools such as by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and SMC, Community policing and suing the perpetrators in courts of law.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ii

APPROVAL iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

LIST OF ACRONYMS vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

ABSTRACT Xii

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Background of the Study 1

1.3 Statement of the Problem 3

1.4 Purpose of the Study 4

1.5 Specific Objectives of the Study 4

1.6 Research Questions 5

1.7 Scope of the Study 5

1.7.1 Geographical Scope 5

1.7.2 Content Scope 5

1.7.3 Time Scope 6

1.8 Significance of the Study 7

1.9 Definition of Key Terms 7

VII

CHAPTER TWO .9

LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.1 Introduction 9

2.2 The various forms of domestic violence 9

2.3 The causes of domestic violence 11

2.4 Impact of Domestic Violence on Children’s Academic Performance 14

2.5 Strategies that can be put in place to reduce domestic violence and improve Children’s

Academic Performance 17

CHAPTER THREE 20

RESEARCH MATERIALS AND METHODS 20

3.0 Introduction 20

3.1 De~cription of the study area 20

3.2 Research design 20

3.3 Study population 20

3.4 Sampling techniques 20

3.5 Sample size 21

3.6 Sources of data 22

3.6.1 Primary data sources 22

3.6.2 Secondary data sources 22

3.7 Data collection methods & instruments 22

3.7.1 Questionnaire 22~

3.7.2 Interviews chedules 23

3.8 Ethical considerations 23

3.9 Data analysis 23