An Assessment on The Essence of Dropout Students in Model Primary Schools Of Central Zone of Tigray
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Date
2011-01
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Addis Ababa Univerisity
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 outschool
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
Model Primary Schools