THE PERCEIVED CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF FEMALE STUDENT DROP OUT IN ASHANTI MAMPONG MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate the perceived causes and effects of female student drop out in Ashanti Mampong Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological case study design. The research population covered headmasters, female student dropouts, teachers, policy makers and parents. A sample of four (4) head teachers, four (4) ordinary school dropout learners and four (4) teachers, comprising of 2 males and 2 females, were purposively drawn from each school. The parent population was purposively selected from among those who had dropout daughters from the school registers. The instruments used were focus group discussions and an interview guide. The study found among others that dropping out of girls has generally been related to the low education of parents. Most female dropouts were also found to belong to medium and small-sized families. Cultural practices and institutions, including early marriage, engagement, circumcision, home parental services and neglect of female health and nutrition significantly contribute to female dropouts. Based on the findings, it is recommended that school authorities should provide a conducive atmosphere for learning, in which adolescent girls can easily adapt to and complete their education.