An investigation into the causes of the girl child drop out in upper primary classes in Kiboga District

Abstract

DISSERTATION:

The study was designed to investigate the major causes of the girl child dropout in upper primary classes in Kiboga District. This was necessitated by the decreasing numbers of girls at post primary level of education in Kibogo district. To collect data, the study was guided by the following three research questions; 1. What are the major causes of the girl child dropout in upper primary classes in Kiboga district? 2. Do socio-economic factors have any impact on the dropout of the girl-child in upper primary classes in Kiboga district? 3. What retention mechanisms are put in place to affect girl child education in Kiboga district? The researcher further administered the questionnaire and interviews as key instruments in addition to focus group discussion (FGDs) and observations which were used for triangulation purposes. Key informants included DEO Kiboga, head teachers, teachers, and girls in upper classes, some of the girl child dropouts, SMC members and parents among others. Furthermore, the findings showed that, the key challenges to “girls” education in Kibgoa district were: • Lack of school requirements, cultural bias, excessive home chores, inadequate school facilities and poor economic family background inter alias. To check on the dropout rate, the study recommend among other things that; • There should be all round gender sensitization campaigns by the Government of Uganda, foreign and local NGOs plus the community. Illiteracy among parents also need be reduced through adult literacy programmes so as to check on parents’ negative attitude towards girls’ education. • There should be equal opportunities provided to either gender in the home so as to check on the excessive workload put on the girl-child as soonest possible, the government of Uganda should introduce labour saving technologies for example bore holes and saw dust stoves, so as to limit on the time spent by the girl child when collecting water and firewood. Since many young girls were dropping out of school due to lack of financial related requirements, then government should make UPE entirely free for all children in a home. Girl child eliminating costs like lunch and coaching fees, uniform and stationery among others, need be provided (by the government) to ensure that the girl child stays longer in school without being ejected.