Factors associated with school dropout of pupils in Kitgum district: a case of Akwang sub county

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the factors that influence school dropout of pupils in Kitgum district. The assessment was made by outbreak and effects of Nodding syndrome, poverty of households, academic performance of the pupils, and demographic factors. The stud) used primary data with a sample of 93 respondents were pupils and dropouts in Akwang Sub County. Kitgum district. A cross sectional survey design was used where data was collected using questionnaires. The analysis was done using frequency distribution. Chi-square statistics and logistic regression. In the results, a higher average index of 4.1 obtained shows a high effects of nodding syndrome on school dropout. In the multivariate analysis, school dropout was significantly associated with effects of nodding syndrome, poverty and academic performance of pupils (p<0.05). 55.4% of school dropout is explained by the variables involved in the study. In particular, school dropout increased with increased effects of nodding syndrome, high levels of poverty, low academic performance of some pupils and bad attitude towards girl child education. The factors associated with school dropout are effects of nodding syndrome, poverty amongst households, academic performance of pupils and pupils" characteristics (gender and age). In light of the findings, the study recommends the following measures in the effort to reduce school dropout: set up measures to reduce effects and spread of nodding syndrome amongst children, provide measures to reduce poverty amongst households throimh eneaaine in commercial farming, reduce low academic performance through providing text books and giving extra care to low performers.