Determinants of male school dropout from lower secondary education level in Kyankwanzi district: a case study of Kirimbi parish in Bananywa sub-county
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to understand the determinant of male school dropout from lower secondary education level in Kirimbi parish, Bananywa sub county Kyankwanzi district. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the family social factors that contribute to male school dropout from lower secondary education level, to examine the family economic factors that contribute to male school dropout from lower secondary education level in Kyankwanzi district, to examine the school-based factors that contribute to male school dropout from lower secondary school, and finally to examine the individual student's factors that contribute to male school dropout from lower secondary education level in Kyankwanzi district. There is increasing number of children dropping out of school in Kyankwanzi district to offer cheap labour in gardens. Data at the District Probation and welfare Department indicated that 54 percent of over 41000 children in the district are out of school. The study was descriptive with both cross sectional and case study design with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study had a sample size of 60 respondents including 40 male dropouts, 20 key informants, these participated as secondary respondents these were selected using a purposive sampling method. Questionnaires and interview guides were generated to collect the required data that was later analysed using simple frequencies and percentages, using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS version 22). Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from the in-depth interviews. The study findings highlighted that family social factors such as family size/ number of children in the household, Education level of parents, domestic violence, family economic factors such as family income and expenditure, poverty and unemployment. School factors such as failure to pay school fees, School feeding, long distances to school, individual students factors such as academic motivation, peer pressure, child labour among others were a strong determinant of male school dropout among male students in Kirimbi Parish, Bananwya Subcounty in Kyankwanzi district.
Additionally, the study suggests the need for the school to collaborate with other stakeholders, including parent’s local government, Community based organizations and the entire community. They should establish the feeding programme in school to ensure that their male students are fed while they are at school as this will help keep children in school. Furthermore, school feeding programme will boost the learning outcomes of the learners