Consequences Of Child Abuse On Students Academic Performance As Perceived By Secondary School Teachers
[A CASE STUDY OF ILORIN METROPOLIS]

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This chapter reviews relevant concept on studies that have been done in related fields under the following perspective.
-    Who is a Child?                       
-    Student Academic Performance as affect by Child
-    Abuse in Nigeria                               
-    What is Child Abuse?                           
-    Forms of Child Abuse                           
-    Indicators for Identifying Victims of Child Abuse       
-    Effects of Child Abuse on Academic Performance       
-    Effect of Abuse on Sexuality                       
-    Summary of the Review of Related Literature    
Child abuse has become a global problem that needs to be tackled if children are to be given the right to education and freedom. The issue of child abuse has been given serious attention in many parts of the world and Nigeria is not left out. Given this serious effort, one would have thought that this menace will not persist. However, look at the society shows that child abuse occurs not only at home but has found its way into the school system thus constituting a barrier to the attainment of sound educational development in the country. This paper discusses the prevalence of child abuse in the school and its impact on the educational development of the child. Based on the prevalence of abuses in the school, the author recommends that there should be public enlightenments programme and education to combat the mass ignorance on the acts that constitute abuse and protect the Nigerian child against these abuses so as to benefit maximally from the educational system.
Who Is a Child?
A child is a person that has not attained the aged of 18. For centuries, the Nigerian child has been seen as “an instrument or property with no absolute privilege of its own”. In the tradition African society the belief was that children should merely be seen and not heard. Children were not allowed to listen to adults’ discussions/conversation let alone make contributions. This situation was prevalent not only in the society but found its way into the educational system. Consequently, teachers only allowed children to make contributions when they deemed necessary. Recently, there has been serious concern about the child with the realization that children play important part in the family and the society. It is generally agreed that children are the future generation, the leaders of tomorrow and the potential flag bearers of any nation.
To carry out these duties, the child therefore has certain rights that must be protected and not be trampled upon or denied. In recognition of the socio cultural and educational dimension of the child, the United Nations, European Union, UNICEF and ANPPCAN have all joined efforts in advocating for protection of the right well being of children. Among other provisions, UNICEF and the national policy on children grant children the following rights:
1.    Protection against indecent and in human treatment like abuse and neglect.
2.    Provision of a conducive environment to promote early stimulation to learning for the child.
3.    Entitlement of every child (Male/Female) to receive compulsory basic education and equal opportunity for higher education.
4.    Promotion and encourage of child friendly principles in all relevant institutions.
Student Academic Performance as Affected by Child Abuse in Nigeria
In Nigeria, national policy on education recognizes the importance of education for the optimum development of the child thus advocating for the basic education and the provision of conducive learning environment. Education is therefore recognized as one avenue through which the child can develop properly. Many developing nations place a high premium on the education of their citizen because education is viewed as an instrument for cultural, social, political, economic and technological development and emancipation in Nigeria, for instance, education is viewed as a means of building a free democratic, just and equalitarian society; a united strong and self reliant nation; a land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004). Thus Nigeria and its people need a change and growth in education so as to be in line with the developed nations. Every successive federal and state government administration has been allocating substantial portions of its annual budgets to meet this broad objective. In some cases, regional and later state government had at one time or the other embarked on free education at all levels including higher institutions.