American International Journal of Social Science

Factors Responsible For Child Maltreatment among Students of Secondary Schools in Niger State-Nigeria
J. Kolo, J. Gyong, J. Hellandendu

Abstract
This study is on the factors responsible for child maltreatment among students of secondary schools in Niger State. Survey, Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews were adopted as instruments of data collection. The study was conducted on 240 students in a combination of five boarding and three day schools. In- depth interviews were conducted with the principals of the schools and chairperson of African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), Niger State Chapter. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were held with some teachers in six schools. Survey data were analyzed using frequencies, Chi- square (X2), and gamma. Descriptive data were transcribed and inter-woven into the survey data. The findings revealed that a higher proportion of male students (53%) were severely maltreated than girls (51%). It was found that more students (63%) who perceived their parents poor suffered severe maltreatment than those (41%) who perceived their parents as rich. The parents of maltreated children are mostly poor (P<0.05). It is therefore recommended that the situation where children are enrolled as day students by parents /guardians to hawk should be discouraged. During the acquisition of skills by the children, they should not be subjected to starvation and severe beatings. Parents should enroll their children in boarding schools to prevent their engagement in economic activities when they are on session. Parents should provide basic necessities of life to their children/ wards unconditionally and without forcing them to earn income for the family.

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