Effect of Early Marriage on the Academic Performance of the Girl-Child in Katsina State: Challenges and Prospects

This research work explored the effect of early marriage on the academic performance of girl-child in Katsina state: Challenges and prospects. The population of the study comprised six Government Girls Secondary Schools in Katsina State. 377 respondents participated; 58-70 students were selected randomly from each six Girls Secondary in the state for this study based on their population size. A self-designed questionnaire titled as Questionnaire on Effect of Early Marriage and Academic Performance (QEEMAP) with r=0.74 Cronbach alpha was used to gathered data on the study. Data collected were analyzed using chi-square, t-test and frequency count and percentage scores. It shed light its effects on girls’ education and academic performance. The findings from respondents and extensive reading of materials related to early Marriage due to various factors including among others, the search for economic survival, protection of young girls, peer group and family pressure, controlling female behaviour and sexuality, wars and civil conflicts, socio-cultural and religious values. It is against this background, recommendations were suggested to deal with the problems, a number of strategies that will provide economic opportunities to young girls, promoting academic performance and education of girls in Katsina State and Nigeria in particular.