An Investigation Into Factors Affecting Girl Child School Dropout In Bunyangabu District, Uganda. (Case Study Of Kisomoro Sub-County)

ABSTRACT

The qualitative study investigated the causes of girl child dropout in Kisomoro subcounty

The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the institutional factors leading to school dropout, to find out if there are some cultural factors in society which cause girls to dropout of schools, to establish if the government policies have influenced girls to dropout of schools and to find out if family background has

influenced girls to drop out of school.

The study utilized a questionnaire to obtain data from the respondents, about factors

for girl child school dropout. Observations were also made to consolidate the findings.

Findings showed that government had formulated gender blind policies which could not

effectively empower girl’s education. The girls were dropping out of school because

there was no legislation against the social customs that negatively affected them such

as early marriages, the burden of domestic cores and gender preferences. It was also

discovered that the curriculum was overloaded and not gender responsive. The school

learning environment was also a problem because the teachers had a negative attitude

towards over age girls. Sanitation conditions were appalling in some schools and

thereby appealing girl children from schools. Most dominant was cultural values beliefs

and practices.

It was recommended that sensitization and legislation against negative culture be initiated starting with the family where the roots of socialization begins until it perpetuates the whole society. It was also recommended the curriculum be enriched and legal and judicial institutions be upgraded.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LIST OF TABLES viii

ABSTRACT ix

ABBREVIATIONS x

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0. Background of the study 1

1.1. Statement of the problem 2

1.2. Purpose of the study 2

1.3. Specific objectives 2

1.4. Research Questions 3

1.5. Scope of the Study 3

1.6. Significance of the Study 3

1.7. Definition of Terms 4

CHAPTERTWO 5

LITERATURE REVIEW 5

2.0. Introduction 5

2.1. The justified need for girl child education 5

2.2. Meaning of female empowerment 5

2.3. Free primary education in Uganda 6

2.4. The current state of girl child access to free primary education in Uganda 6

2.5. Factors influencing girl child dropout of school 7

V

CHAPTER THREE .14

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 14

3.0. Introduction 14

3.1. Research Design 14

3.2. Research Area 14

3.3. Target Population 14

3.4. Sample Size and Sampling Techniques 14

3.5. Sources of Data Gathered 15

3.6. Instrumentation 15

3.7. Reliability of Instruments 15

3.8. Procedure of Data Collection 15

3.9. Data Processing and Analysis 16

CHAPTER FOUR 17

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION OF FINDING AND DISCUSSION.

17

4.0 Introduction 17

4.1 Background Information 17

4.1.1. Teachers Level of Training 17

4.1.2. Plans for Upgrading 18

4.1.3. Teaching Experience 19

4.1.4. Gender of Teachers 19

4.2 Government Policies and Girl Child Dropout 20

4.2.1. The Policy of Cost Sharing and Its Effect On Girl Child Education 20

4.2.2. Government Legal Framework on Security and Safety Of Girls 21

4.2.3. How Responsive Is the Curriculum to Girl Children 22

4.3 Institution Based Influences On Girl’s Retention in Public Primary Schools 23

4.3.1. Teachers Attitudes towards Their Girl’s Education 24

4.3.2. Attitude Towards Over Age in Class 24

4.3.3. Observation On How Conducive The Learning Facilities Were 24

vi

4.4. Cultural Based Influences of Girl Dropout .................~.24

4.4.1. Cultural Practices that Cause Children to Dropout .................................~... 24

4.4.2. Effect of Cultural Practices in Children Especially Children ........................... 26

4.5. Family Background and School Dropout 26

CHAPTER FIVE 29

SUMMARY OF FINDING, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 29

5.0. Introduction 29

5.1. Summary of Findings 29

5.2. Conclusion 30

5.3. Recommendations 31

5.4. Future Research Areas 32

REFERENCES 33

APPENDICES 34

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE 34

APPENDIX II: BUDGET PROPOSAL 36

APPENDIX III: TIME FRAME 37