This study aims to adapt the PLH for Young Children programme for the prevention of violence against children for use in primary schools in Zimbabwe. The first step is to assess the prevalence and correlates of harsh discipline and positive parenting in Harare, Zimbabwe, and associated childhood behavioural disorders.
Context
Most PLH interventions are delivered in community settings participants coming from low-income settings. Working parents often struggle to access such programmes. This project aims to explore the possibilities of in-school delivery, which may help optimise access if service is tailored into regular service delivery within the system.
Objectives
Needs assessment: To assess the prevalence and correlates of harsh discipline and positive parenting, and associated childhood behavioural disorders, among caregivers of children in Grade 1
Adaptation of the PLH for Young Children programme for use in schools
Deliver and test that programme
Project Setting
This study will be conducted in the Harare Northern Central School District, which covers Harare’s northern suburbs. The district has 28 primary schools with an approximate total of 25,445 learners enrolled in Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes to grade 7. Primary schools have learners aged 4 to 13. Learners join the school system in the ECD grades (equivalent to nursery school), though this is not compulsory; or at grade 1, which is compulsory.
Significance and Wider Impact:
The study findings and the adapted version of PLH for Young Children can be used in schools and other contexts with working parents.
