EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL CHILD ABUSE ON TH}~ PERFORMANCE OF PRE-SCHOOLERS IN PARKROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL

BYHILDAH CUKURU GATINKU

E45/6422/05

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBIFACULTY OF EDUCATION

EARLY CHILDHOOD

2008

DECLARATIO~

I, the undersigned declare that this is my original work achieved through my ,efforts and has not been submitted to any university for academic grading.

Hildah Cukuru Gatinku

Sign: _--""iRLV~"'3<.~\'-' __ date: --1.-=---'--'-""-1..'--- _

.Reg: E45/6422/05

This project has been submitted for examination with my personal approval as aNairobi university lecturer

Sign: _ date: ------------

Mrs. Muasya

Lecturer

Faculty of Education

Early Childhood Education

University of Nairobi

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ABSTRACT

The overall purpose of this study has been to survey effects of child physical

abuse on their pre-school performance. The study was based on conceptual

framework of interrelated factors that cause children physical abuse.

The research tasks guiding the study were based on the following research

questions.

1. What are the causes of child's physical abuse and their relations to the

child's pre-school performance?

2. What effects do different forms or types of chil? physical abuse have on

pre-school performance?

3. What are the effective measures to curb menace of child physical abuse

and their relation to the pre-school performance?

The sample comprised of 10 parents, 50 children from the pre-school level (29

boys and 21 girls), the head teacher and 4 pre-school teachers. The research

instruments used for data collection were questionnaires, interview guides and

observation. The research findings indicate that parents have very low educational

backgrounds, low income levels and simple lifestyles. The study also established

that there were several causes of child physical abuse, different types of physical

abuse that children were subjected to the effects and measures undertaken to curb

the menace.

Children who were victims of physical abuse performed below average in class

activities and were guided and counselled by pre-school lectures and the head

teacher. Recommendations were made regarding the changes that need to be put

in place. Example ; sensitizing community on the importance of child rights,

government and other N.G.O 's to achieve active role in protection of children,

parents to participate in their children's school activities to get the importance of

children's proper physical growth.

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