TRANSITION DROP OUT AMONG SUCCESSFUL B.E.C.E GRADUATES IN RURAL GHANA: THE CASE OF AGONA KWAMAN

ABSTRACT Senior high school has become the minimum formal educational level to enter into the job market in many countries in the world. As such, countries that have attained a high National Attendance Ratio (NAR) for primary school also have or are working at an equally high NAR for SHS. This effort to attain a high NAR for SHS seems to be thwarted by successful B.E.C.E graduates in rural Ghana’s inability to make the transition from JHS to SHS. To some in rural Ghana, school is presumed to be over after JHS. The study therefore examines the causes of this normative school transition drop-out from JHS into SHS from successful B.E.C.E graduates and their caregivers’ point of view. A case study research design was adopted and a semi-structured one-on-one interview, field notes and observation was used as the research instruments. Twelve (12) successful B.E.C.E graduate respondents were purposefully selected from three basic schools in the study area, from the 2015/2016 academic year group and interviewed. Twelve (12) Caregivers of the graduate respondents were also interviewed. Glaser and Strauss (1967) constant comparative approach was used to analyze the data. Themes were used as the process to analyze the data after field notes and interviews were transcribed. Other themes emerged from initial themes and were coded into categories. Themes were compared to each category and categories integrated with their properties, until the findings was delimited and written. The findings of the study suggested that the major causes for transition drop-out among both successful B.E.C.E graduates and caregiver respondents in the study area were a varying range of mainly demand/pull factors which were multifaceted and interrelated. The overarching cause which was found to be the lack of finances for the transition was suggested to be fuelled by other related causes. Some of these related causes include; low household income level, unfavourable structure of household, low caregiver level of education, negative personal and or caregiver attitude towards SHS education, high cost of SHS education and child work. Transition dropouts would rather migrate to urban or sub-urban areas to engage in unregulated informal sector jobs for money. Transition dropouts revealed that their actions consequently overcrowd the urban space, placing undue pressure on social amenities, developing slams, worsening sanitary and health conditions, making tax collection difficult and increasing social vices. This would culminate in stagnating or even retarding economic growth. Based on the findings, the recommendations proposed by the researcher were for community leaders to; Organize basic school, religious and community youth programs to inspire transitioning to SHS and discourage transition dropout among both successful B.E.C.E graduates and their caregivers. Institute an education fund for needy but brilliant graduates to make the transition to SHS. Encourage caregivers to start saving early towards their wards SHS education. Award financially inadequate caregivers who has defied the odds and made sure their eligible wards made the transition to SHS.