Early Separation from Parents and Behavioural Problems Among Primary Students at Wellington pre and Primary English Medium School, Tabora, Tanzania

<i>Background:</i> An increasing number of children across the world experience family instability due to divorce/separation of their parents or as the consequences of non-marital childbearing/cohabitation. Besides, early separation of children from parents is very common in Tanzania, along with increasing number of street children. Studies in this area are scanty in Tanzania. This gap in knowledge prompted the design of the current study. <i>Methods:</i> With a cross-sectional design, quantitative data were collected from 50 primary school students aged between 5 to 10 years, who were studying in Wellington pre and primary English medium school. Quantitative descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed. Results were presented as frequency tables with respective percentages, figures, along with cross tabulation. <i>Results:</i> A total of 50 students from standard I to V were assessed for existing behavioral issues who are either separated from one or both the parents. This study has showed that, 16% of sample respondents were having the behavioral issue of restlessness, being overactive and inability to stay still for long. 20% of them did not share their things readily with other children. 8% of them were having this problem of losing temper often. In addition, 10% of sample respondents prefer to play alone. 24% of them often seems to be worried. 58% of them were helpful when someone is hurt while 8% were not. 68% of them had at least one good friend while 12% did not have even one good friend. 22% Often fight with other children while 50% of them were generally liked by other children. 2% of sample respondents were easily bullied by other children. 8% of them were having the behavior of hitting, biting and pinching other children. 16% of them seem to have no energy or feeling tired. 30% of sample respondents did not want to sleep alone. 16% of them were not happy as other children. 12% of sample respondents did not seem to feel bad after misbehaving while 70% of them were well behaved and usually do what adults request. <i>Conclusion</i>: Our findings revealed that a considerable number of students in Wellington Pre and Primary English medium school who are separated from either or both of their parents do have behavioral problems.