THE EFFECTS OF EARLY MARRIAGES ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF
THE GIRL-CHILD IN BULOBA TOWN
CONCEPTUAL
The purpose of this study is to identify, interpret and understand the effects of early
marriages on the academic performance of the girl-child with a view of recommending
appropriate measures to be taken in order to enhance their welfare in terms of education and
thus empower them to become relevant and potential citizens of the contemporary Uganda. The
investigation was conducted solely with the purpose of finding out the attitude of the general
public on early marriage of girl-child, the effect of government as per discouraging the practice,
the effect of the practice on the nation’s political and economical systems. The following
recommendations were made in this research work, the government should ensure that their
programmes on orientation should be properly channeled in order to get to the grassroots,
government should introduce on the school curriculum topics on early marriage and its effects
on the girl- child.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Statement of problems
Purpose of the study
Significance of the study
Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
Literature review
Review of the study
Early marriage
Girls hawking practices
Current residence
Childhood residence
Respondent education
Religion
Consequences of early marriage
Marital dissolution
Effects of early marriage on education
Attainment
Effects on the national economy
Unnecessary high increase in birth rate
CHAPTER THREE
Population and sample
Method of data collection
Administration of questionnaires
CHAPTER FOUR
Presentation and analysis of data
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendations
BIBLIOGRAPHY
QUESTIONNAIRES
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Right from the beginning of ages, the effect of early marriage on the academic
performance of the girl child has been a topic for debate. In 2004, Children’s national
Day, the UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, had a presentation of
statistical result of schooling children to non-schooling children in the contemporary
society. the research presentation shows that over 7.2 million Ugandan children are out
of school as they engaged themselves in hawking, as maid to people or otherwise.
Meanwhile, from the above result, 87% of these children found outside school were
girls. In a press briefing organized by the Human rights commission, the major reasons
why more girl child are found outside school was because female children are given out
on marriage at an early age range.
It is no longer a matter of argument that females constitute more than fifty percent
(50%) of world’s active population (UNESCO, 2008). Although they make huge
contribution to national development, they still face a number of difficulties that limit their
potentials in promoting personal and collective development. A key area of concern in
this regard is that of their education, which can only at best be described as at the same
time as less than equal to that of the male. (Obaya, 2003). The marriage institution is
very vital in any society; it’s legitimate in the productive process and ensures the
meaningful preparation of the social norm of society. Yet the timing and the resultant
impact of early marriage is a source of concern for many who value the fair participation
of female in modern education. When girls are married at age of 10 to 14, their
educational careers are disrupted especially if an opportunity for second chance
learning is not provided. Once girls are left behind in this process, they add to the
burden of development of the society and their positive roles and contributions are
limited early.
It is impossible to allow girls to marry at the ages of maturity, when they must
have had opportunities for the attainment of basic education. Meanwhile, one
understands that the idea of girls being giving out to men for marriage at an early stage
of life is not really because their parents, long for such life, but simply because of the
poverty level of families. The indicator of prevailing poverty among the poor, rural and
urban population that the world receives from the UNDP annually is a clear evidence of
lack of unbiased distribution of wealth in society. As a result, several families live below
the poverty line, living on less than N50 per day. We know for a fact that most of the
families in Africa are extended, especially, with overwhelming impact of diseases
including malnutrition, and HIV/AIDS. Consequently, families are less able to cater for
the educational needs of their wards. When choices are made on who goes to school,
the males are given preferential treatment, thereby leaving the girl child largely not
catered for. This means that poverty’s impact on child education is felt more by the girl
child, as most girls are giving out in marriage on a reason of getting money from the son
in-law to sponsor the male child’s education. The question is: why must this be the
case. Apart from the fact that parents do give this girl child out on marriage early, thus
impeding their chances of education, it is observed likewise that, there are instances
where the females themselves bear poor self concepts of being unable to cope with
challenges of modern impressions society placed on them. This then becomes a very
serious barrier to their learning and educational pursuits. There is a people belief in
society that modern education only emphasizes instrumental goals, that it is mainly
employment oriented. Therefore when learners complete educational programmes
without equal assurance for modern sector jobs, society sees a difference and lack of
energy. This discourages participation, given that no serious meaning is ever attached
to learning itself. Similarly, schools do not teach skills that may help learners to become
self reliant and gain self employment from their formal training.
Moreover, the female child sometimes agree to their parental ideas as regard
getting married at a very early stage of life, uncertainly because of the knowledge they
have acquired that all perspective of education is for males in nature.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS
This study is specifically concerned with many and varied problems of the
handicapped in Buloba town, the handicaps here are referred to females whom are
giving out to marriage at a very early age, this considering how this is affecting their
education.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective is to examine the effects of early marriages on the academic
performance of a girl-child in Buloba.
a. What is early marriage?
b. What are the causes of early marriage?
c. How does the early marriage affect female education?
d. What is the government doing to stop early marriage?
e. What is the general attitude towards early marriage?
f. In what area can we find higher rate of early marriage?
g. What percentage of females get a second chance for education alter early
marriage and otherwise.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the possible causes of early marriages in Buloba
2. What are the educational effects of early marriages on the academic performance of a
girl-child in Buloba
3. What are the non-educational effects of early marriages on the academic performance of
a girl-child
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
It is expected that findings from this study will help in the following areas:
1. Help to identify what early marriage is all about.
2. List the causes of early marriage
3. Identify the effect of early marriage on the academic performance on girl
child.
4. Identify government aid towards the stopping of early marriage in Uganda.
5. To know the general attitude of the public towards early marriage.
6. Should be able to tell if early marriage is higher in the rural areas or in the
urban area.
7. Identify the percentage of those that get a second chance for education after
early marriage and the percentage of those that do not get second chance for
education after early marriage.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
Early marriages have been found to be at a very high rate in Uganda, African
Continents, even in Buloba. The research work done by UNICEF and the ministry of
education revealed that the future of Uganda is being endangered as more than 50%
Ugandans active population are derived of education as they are given out for marriage
at a very early age. Meanwhile, the purpose of this research is to look at the situation of
early marriage, its effect on academic performance of the girl child and then proffering
avenues to reduce to the barest minimum, the idea of early marriage in our society.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Commensurate: In the right proportion, appropriate.
Contemporary: Of the time or period being referred to. Belonging to the same time.
Education: A process of training and instruction, especially of children and young
people on schools, College, etc which is designed to give knowledge and develop skills.
Legitimate: That can be defended
Marriage: A formal, usually legally recognized, agreement between a man and a
woman making them husband and wife, the state of being married.
Masculine: having the qualities or appearance considered to be typical of or
appropriate for men.
Norms: A standard or pattern, especially of social behavior, that is typical of a group.
Perspective: A particular attitude towards a point of view.
Populace: The general public, ordinary people
Society: A system in which people live together in organized communities. A
community of people living in a particular country or region and having shared customs,
laws, organization. An organization of people formed for a purpose.
Tentative: Done or said without certainly that it is right, definite or final, not confident.
UNESCO: This is a short form for United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural
Organization.
UNICEF: This is a short form for, United Nations children fund.
