A comparative study of drop-out rates of boys and girls in urban and rural primary schools in Jinja District

Abstract

This study is an investigation on dropout, causes and comparison of the dropout rates of boys and girls in urban and rural primary schools in Jinja district. It was conducted between March and August 2003. The aim was to compare dropout rates of boys and girls in selected schools and also establish the causes of the dropout in urban and rural schools running the Universal Primary Education programme.

The specific objectives were to: i) Compare dropout rates of boys and girls in urban schools of Jinja district.ii) Compare dropout rates of boys and girls in rural schools of Jinja district. ii) Compare drop but rates between girls and boys in rural and urban schools iv) Establish the causes of dropout from selected schools running the UPE programme in Jinja.The study was carried out using pre-tested questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis. It was established that drop out varied with both gender and geographical setting. Although drop outs were experienced by pupils of both gender, girls have a XI slightly higher rate of drop out in both urban and rural selected schools compared to the boys. The dropout rate in rural schools was also much higher than that in urban schools. The major causes of pupil dropout were found to be domestic problems, lack of scholastic materials and low motivation from both teachers and parents. The various stakeholders also appreciated the role the UPE programme has played in increasing access to education of the previously disadvantaged children. It is concluded that in order to reduce dropout rates before completion of the primary education cycle; the following should be done: 1. Mobilization of all stake holders, to ensure that UPE succeeds by ensuring that children do not enroll and drop out before completion. 2. Sensitization of both parents/guardians and pupils themselves about the value of girl child education especially in the rural schools. 3. Parents and guardians should be sensitized about the dangers of involving school going age children in domestic chores during class time. 4. Girls in particular should be allowed to join school after delivery in case they are victims of early pregnancy.