Assessment of School Phobia Among Elementary Students in Nineveh Governorate

School phobia is one of the most common symptoms among children in the elementary stage, which affects their psychological, social and scientific formation, as the child expresses his fear of coming to this strange environment and reflects this in a set of psychological and physical symptoms. A descriptive study design carried out to assess school phobia among elementary school students in Nineveh Governorate during the period from September 1, 2019 to August 10, 2020. The sample of the study consisted of (806) elementary school pupils selected randomly from many elementary schools from inside and outside Mosul city which selected by stratified method. Data were gathered by a structured questionnaire based on previous studies and sources related to the research topic. It composed of two main parts; Demographic data and expected reasons or causes behind the phenomenon of the study. Its validity was checked through the opinions of (16) experts, and its reliability was measured by applying it to (50) students who were excluded from the main sample of the research, its value was (0.71). Data were collected through personal interview with each pupil in order to address the causes of the fear from the school, while the pupils commitment to the school and absenteeism from it was checked by reviewing each pupils file in the school. The interview was carried out by the researcher himself or by one of the teams of teachers assisting the researcher after their approval and engagement if the study. The study found a positive relationship between fear of school and fear from colleagues. The study concluded that there are large numbers of pupils in the schools, also in comparing with the numbers of teachers. High rate of absenteeism from the school among females. The study recommends building more schools in the governorate, establishing an educational and psychological counselling programs to deal with the phenomenon of fear, refusal and truancy from the school. Also, the school administrations, personnel and teachers should create an appropriate school atmosphere based on dealing with pupils equally without differences, caring for them and follow up their academic levels, as well as working to control the school's surroundings and prevent any transgression and bullying among pupils and create the spirit of intimacy, love and cooperation among them.