UNEARTHING VULNERABILITY PROFILE OF THE ‘GIRL CHILD’ IN SELECTED SINGLE-SEX SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the vulnerability profile of the ‘girl child’ in selected single sex secondary schools of Lusaka district of Zambia. The study applied a qualitative approach with a Hermeneutics Phenomenological research design. The sample comprised of 38 participants who included 8 vulnerable girls in each school and 4 guidance teachers. Interviews were used to collect data from the guidance teachers while focused group discussions were used to collect data from the pupils. The study established that the vulnerable profile included lack of proper dietary habits and good nutrition. Under household responsibilities, girls were overworked at home and performed many chores which made them to underperform in schools. Meanwhile, economic vulnerability included lack school materials like bookracks, desks, and brooms, lack of money for school upkeep, lack of proper school uniforms, shoes, socks, jerseys, necktie, and no lunch money. The parents of the girl children could not afford school extra tuition, school related books and materials. Lastly was the emotional vulnerability which included various emotional abuses which the learners underwent in the community and school indirectly and directly. The study concludes that secondary school girls were vulnerable differently in the secondary schools and these should be looked at with critical analysis for learners to excel in schools. The study recommends that teachers and parents should work together to ensure that they support their children for them to perform better in the Zambian education system.