Assessment of the differences in the factors associated with secondary school dropout between teachers and students, a case of Mityana district

Abstract

The study assessed the factors associated with secondary school dropout in Mityana District. The assessment was made by sex, aggregation of school factors, family related factors and student related. Using primary data based on a sample of 96 respondents (teachers and students) from USE schools in Mityana district, a cross-sectional survey design was adopted where data was obtained from students and teachers using a self-administered questionnaire. The analysis was made using STATA where the responses were categorized on a binary scale of “Yes” and “No” that is to say Yes represented Strongly agree and Agree and No represented Neutral, Disagree and Strongly disagree. The analysis was later done by the comparison of both teachers and students responses on School, Student and Family factors. Both teachers and students agreed on some factors and they disagreed on others. The factors associated with dropouts are; student factors, school factors and family factors. In light of the findings the study recommends the following measures to reduce school dropout; the government should continue empowering the girl child education in order to reduce school dropout, furthermore, it should put up programs that facilitate sensitization of parents and guardians toward children’s academic achievements and benefits of being in school. Teachers and parents should sensitize students on the benefits of staying in school and the dangers of bad peers.