Social Challenges to the Education of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Eleme, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigerian children under prolonged suffering because of loss of parents are faced with several challenges such as dropping out of school; in some cases, they may even be taken out of school to care for the home. In this study, we determined the challenges (financial, emotional and psychological) to the education of orphaned and vulnerable children in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. All the 396 orphans in orphanages in the study Area constituted the study population. A Questionnaire captioned “the challenges to the education of orphans and vulnerable children, a case study of Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State”, was developed for the study. Whether male or female, the children held that financial situations and emotional stress, to a high extent affected their education. The children attempt to cope with these challenges by being frugal, seeking company among themselves, and trying to develop the ability to manage their emotions. Clearly, the provision of access to finance (e.g., through special bursaries and grants) and guidance and counselling professionals will enhance the continuity and performance of orphans and vulnerable children in the schools. Received: 2 May 2021 / Accepted: 15 June 2021 / Published: 8 July 2021

Socio-ecological drivers of vulnerabilities of children living within orphan homes and the implications for their nurturance care

“…The community’s negative perceptions were also evident in parents’ refusal to enroll children in orphanage-owned schools, leading to a feeling of stigmatization by the children. This study not only supports findings from previous works reporting feelings of stigmatization among the children ( 37 , 38 ), but it also shows how this contributes to the stigmatization of the children. Previous studies ( 39 , 40 ) have identified orphanage children and adolescents with emotional issues such as post-traumatic disorders.…”

NGOs’ responses to the challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Chegutu, Zimbabwe

“…Although families are ideally the primary source of protection against these risks, challenges within families can prevent them from providing the necessary care and protection required by OVC (Martin et al, 2018). Previous research by Eneji and Archibong (2021) suggests that the lack of affection, proper housing, education and emotional support serves as precursors to vulnerability.…”

“…These challenges often drive OVC towards more entrenched issues such as alcohol and drug abuse as coping mechanisms for their anxiety, as evidenced by Mashayahanya's (2017) study. During interactions with the respondents, it also became apparent that the extended family sometimes neglects the psychological well-being of orphans, a sentiment echoed by Eneji and Archibong (2021). In the Zimbabwean context, where discussions about death with children are rare, grieving children face significant obstacles in the healing process.…”

“…The loss of parents due to various reasons often leads to many children in Africa, including Zimbabwe, dropping out of school to take on household responsibilities, as noted by Eneji and Archibong (2021). Boler and Carroll's (2003) study indicates that orphans are more likely to drop out of school at a higher rate than children with parents due to limited resources for education, rendering it unaffordable.…”

Negative attitude of youth towards african traditional values and socio-economic implications for nigeria

“…Such a woman if found at all is believed to be cursed. The scenario has some reverberating consequences in form of high level immorality and prostitution, abortions, increasing rate of cohabitations and the birth of bastards (Eneji & Archibong, 2021). Feminism also known as feminists' sensitivity, gender equality and many more are foreign values that have now reached the shores of Africa (Bhutler, 1999;Effah-Atoe, 2006).…”