The crisis of sexual abuse of school children by Teachers in Kenya; A study of primary schools in Makueni District, Makueni County
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Date
2014
Authors
Ngunnzi, Joan Mwende Kiema
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The study sought to examine the crisis of sexual abuse of school children by teachers in public primary schools in Makueni district, Makueni County against five main objectives (i) Establish the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse by teacher in public primary school in Makueni district ii) Establish factors catalyzing sexual abuse of school children by teachers in Makueni district (iii)Evaluate the policy and legislative provisions for protecting children from sexual abuse in Kenya (iv) Assess Teachers Service Commission administrative systems for dealing with child sexual abuse cases committed by teachers (v) Recommend interventions for redressing the situation. The study was descriptive, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The study was carried out among 837 pupils in 15 primary schools within Kee, Kaiti and Wote divisions of Makueni district, Makueni County; The study was descriptive, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The focus of the study was the school, with children aged between 10 and 19 being the key respondents. A total of 837 respondents were involved in the study. Out of these, were 500 school children from 15 primary schools out of whom51.8% were male while 47.8% were female? Among them were also 5 female sexual abuse victims. The secondary respondents were 5parents of sexual abuse victims, 216 teachers, 15 head teachers, 46 parents, 3 officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, 10 TSC officials, 7School Management Committee members, 10 religious and 8 civic leaders, and two officers from the Provincial Administration. And 2 officers from the Department of Children's Services The data collection instruments which included questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion Guides, Observation Schedule, in-depth Interview schedule, and secondary data collection schedule were piloted for validity and reliability and thereafter data collected. The quantitative data was later coded and analysed using SPSS computer program; while the qualitative data was categorised, coded and analysed using Maxqda computer program. The study fmdings are broadly categorized against the objectives. Under the
first objective, the study found a high prevalence of sexual abuse of school children by teachers as rated by 57.6% of the pupils. Under the second objective, it was established that poor school administration, apathy, collusion by officials on the teacher discipline continuum, fear of societal stigma, lenient punishments for sexual offenders by the Commission, and limited requisite technical skills for dealing with sexual offences by TSC officers were factors sustaining sexual abuse in schools. Under the third objective, the study established that the law was not being fully utilized by the Commission to protect children from sexual abuse. Under the fourth objective, the study established that the TSC administrative systems were porous and convoluted with bureaucracy. The researcher therefore recommends a review of the policies, administrative procedures and systems related to the management of sexual abuse cases and a creation of synergy between TSC and other duty bearers as it builds its personnel capacity and works to intensify staff integrity. It if further recommended that the government provides adequate funding to TSC for managing teacher discipline and establishes a Safeguarding and Child
Description
A research thesis submitted in fulfillment of the Requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Communication and Technology in the School of Education of Kenyatta University, HV 6370.3 .K4N45