Domestic Violence and Children’s Academic Performance in Uganda; A Case Study of Buwenge Town Council, Kagoma Constituency, Jinja District, Eastern Uganda.
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Date
2018-05
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Publisher
Kampala International University, Colleges of humanities and social sciences
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 Domestic 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 were questionnaires, Focused Group Discussions, observation and interview schedules
while secondary data was got from reviewing related literature in text books, journals, articles
and newspapers. 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;
Pove~rty (26%), low levels of education (14%), cultural beliefs (12%), polygamy (12°o), la~ 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, S~hool Management Committees (SMCs) should be Strengthened, regular
inspection of schools and provision of scholastic materials by the Central government. The
conclusions from study were; there 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 alsd 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
Inpoi1ne Generating Activities (IGA5) need to be introduced to the area, public participation in
d~cisiori-making to matters pertaining them should be emphasized wit~h gender equality,
monitoring academic programmes, more NGOs should be invited to operate in the area that can
ddal ~vith 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.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Domestic Violence, Children, Academic Performance, Jinja District, Uganda