FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST SECONDARY SCHOOL CHIDLREN IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROTECTING THE CHILD’S LEGAL RIGHTS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The presence of violence in educational settings negatively affects students’ psychological well-being, academic performance, and overall development. The paper identifies common manifestations of abuse, including physical violence, bullying, psychological and emotional abuse, sexual harassment, and neglect by both peers and authority figures within the school environment. These practices often violate fundamental child protection principles and undermine the rights of children as guaranteed under national and international legal frameworks such as the Child Rights Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The paper argues that persistent incidents of abuse in schools reflect gaps in policy enforcement, inadequate awareness of child protection laws, and weak institutional mechanisms for reporting and addressing violations. The paper concludes that addressing child abuse in secondary schools is essential for upholding children’s legal rights and ensuring that educational institutions remain spaces that promote safety, dignity, and holistic development.