STAFF AND STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION OF LEARNING IN OGUN STATE (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
- BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Sexual harassment in Nigeria higher schools appears to be under researched and even less reported.
Nigeria as a nation had been made to believe that come year 2015, there should be no more sorrow in all facet of our national life. i.e. Education, Housing, Morality, Employment e.t.c.
The definition of sexual harassment includes harassment by both peers and individuals in a position of power. In schools, though sexual harassment initiated by students is most common, it can also be penetrated by other school employees and the victim can be a student. Sexual harassment has been impediment to the attainment of qualitative and quantitative education expected from the youths/adolescents in higher institution of learning by both the government and the citizens, thus resulting in the falling standard of Education in Nigeria.
Africa culture in tandem of their norms and values forbid the discussion of sex related issues, taking it to be a taboo among the adolescence until such adolescent had grown up to maturation age which gives permission to initiate such person to manhood or womanhood thereby learning the art and culture of his/her immediate society. This makes a child to be regarded as an adult, this African practices goes contrary to modern/western ways of life which imbibes the culture of catching them young, claiming that it is better to inculcate discipline at a tender age than when it will be too late to learn.
Staff and students’ perception on sexual harassment in tertiary institution of learning in Ogun State varies from one institution to another. The term “sex” even among educators seems to be sexual intercourse and therefore is a taboo to discuss it with children, because parents, schools, and religious bodies frowns at it. This makes the source of information comes from peer groups which may have influence on adolescents’ way of life, intimidation, peer group, poor academic performance, indecent dressing and lot more.
The frequent occurrence of this act (sexual harassment) had led to victimization, oppression and at times cause the students unrest among other things. Sexual harassment appears to be morally, socially, and academically unjustified considering its implication and consequences.
