An Assessment on the Essence of Dropout Students in Model Primary Schools of Central Zone of Tigray
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Date
2003
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of students' dropout, to identify major
causes of the problem, and to identify measures taken to retain students' dropout
Descriptive survey method was employed. Data were collected from 191 teachers and 15 principals
through questionnaires. Stratified random sampling was employed to select teachers' respondents from
both groups (male and female) and purposive sampling was applied to select the principals. Interviews
were carried out with 10 supervisors and 15 parents.
The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using different statistical tools like frequency,
percentage and mean while the data obtained from the rosters of the pupils were analyzed using
frequency and percentage.
The data from documentary analysis indicated that the rate of dropout in primary school of the study
area is low and its Trends also showed a decreasing tendency. The data also showed that the dropout
problem was more serious among boys in the higher grade levels.
The analysis to identify the causes of the problem showed that the high rate of students' dropout in the
study area is the result of in-school and out-school related factors. Among the in-school related factors,
health problem, low expectation on future success, regular absenteeism, lack of encouragement from
teachers, school distance, were among the major causes. Regarding out-school factors, pupils
involvement in income generating activities, parental lack of benefit from educating the child, drought
and/or famine, parental death, family breakdown, early marriage, peer group influence were among the
major identified factors. From this, therefore, it is concluded that the dropout problems in the study area
are results of economic, social, and cultural problems and some in-school problems.
Depending on the result of the findings, providing school feeding program, creating awareness on
society on the value of education, providing counseling service for pupils, building satellite schools,
collaborative working among the school stake holders, recognizing and motivating the best achievers
and continuous follow up and support in the schools of the study area are forwarded as
recommendations.
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Keywords
magnitude of students' dropout