The Causes of Student Absenteeism in Universal Secondary Education Schools: Case Study of Isingiro District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the major causes of students’ absenteeism in Secondary Education Schools in Uganda, case study of Isingiro district. The study applied a descriptive cross-sectional research design: quantitative approach/method was used. Data was collected using primary source which is the questionnaire and it was administered to all the students under study. Chi-square was used to test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The study found that there is a significant relationship between the social causes and student absenteeism; the social causes include home responsibilities, illness and parents’/guardians’ value for education. The study further found that there is a significant relationship between the schools related factors and student absenteeism; the school related factors are teacher factor and harsh school rules and regulations. The study recommends that: strict policies, rules and regulations should be applied to parents/guardians who occupy their children with household work; MoES, school administrators should create a school environment which is friendly to the sick, parents’/guardians’ should understand their responsibilities, and schools should be held accountable improving attendance, and finally, future researchers should examine the relationship between the District Education Officers and Secondary Schools Administration; Teacher qualification and students’ academic