Abstract:

This study was concerned with child sexual harassment in primary schools in Uganda, the way it is understood by both the perpetuators and the victims and how this harassment is managed in schools. In this study, child sexual harassment was identified and classified as verbal, non-verbal and physical contact of sexual nature. The study found out that harassment of the victim can be of the classroom environment i.e. P.E. time. Games and Sports, break time and on the way home or in the actual classroom teaching - learning process. Increasingly to note, the study found out the majority of the respondents (90%) of both teachers and children misunderstood sexual harassment for sexual abuse. The study defined child sexual abuse as relationship with child e.g. defilement. any behavior that involves sexual the study recommends that equal opportunity laws be enacted, and the equal opportunities commission be established by the parliament of Uganda to cater mostly for the girl child who according to the study is mostly affected by all forms of sexual harassment. The study further recommended that children rights should not only be talked about in primary schools but strongly emphasized and even put in the school curriculum. Finally, the study recommends the introduction of sex education in primary schools' curriculum. introduction of short courses of gender training and gender communication skills in Teacher Training Colleges so that the school managers get exposed to the dangers of sexual discrimination, verbal sexual harassment, its effects and lay strategies of management of change in primary schools.