Factors Responsible for Juvenile Delinquency in Post War Sierra Leone

This research was conducted to investigate the factors responsible for juvenile delinquency among pupils in schools in Kono District after the long lasting civil war.It is agreed that juvenile delinquency is on the increase in Sierra Leone after the war.It is therefore very important for the government to be aware of the causes and effects of juvenile delinquency among pupils in order to minimize it or otherwise put a stop to it. The research work was undertaken in the Kono District, using two secondary schools namely Koidu secondary school in Koidu town and the Islamic secondary school, Koidu. A sample population of eighty [80] pupils, that is [40] from each school. In carrying out this research, questioners, interviews and observations were used to collect data. The researcher also made use of considerable existing data in journals, newsletters and libraries. It was discovered that most of the pupils got involved into delinquent acts because of the traumatic experiences such as drug addiction, looting, aggression and host of other problems which they were exposed to during the war. This has had negative impacts on them and the society as well. It is therefore necessary that intensified trauma counseling services be provided for these pupils in their various schools in order to minimize juvenile delinquency in the schools.