An assessment of the impact of child abuse & neglect on the attainment of the child’s formal education

Abstract

This study investigated and described the Impact of Child Abuse and Neglect on the Attainment of the Child’s Formal Education in Rubaga Division. The study was conducted with the guidance of research questions such as; what are the different forms of child abuse and neglect in Rubaga Division, how do these different forms of child abuse and neglect affect the child’s attainment of formal education and what recommendations should be suggested for an effective child protection system in Uganda. The research study adopted a quantitative and qualitative research design. The study addressed a problem in which it was observed that even though government through its ministry of gender, labor and social development has put in place institutions like that of probation officer, local council vice chairperson, police officer in charge of children affairs and laws like children’s act, penal code act all aiming at curbing the problem of child abuse and neglect, the problem still exists in Rubaga division and Uganda at large. From the study, it was discovered that arriving at school late is one of the effects of child abuse and neglect in Rubaga Division .Findings also indicated that absenteeism is another indicator of child abuse and neglect. The study recommends that the government should sensitize communities on the rights of their children and how child abuse and neglect can affect their children’s attainment of formal education. Government should also increase on the funding of education sector especially in Universal Primary Education Schools.