FACTORS LEADING TO DROP OUT AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE BUILSA DISTRICT

Abstract

This study aims at establishing factors leading to early female dropout from Junior High Schools in the Builsa District. The study was conducted for eight selected Junior High schools in the District. It adopted a descriptive survey research design on which both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. A total population of 200 people was used. These included: 80 students, 48 dropped out girls, 32 parents, 32 teachers and 8 head teachers, in the District. The study used self- administered questionnaire and an interview guide as the data collection instruments. A review of the relevant written documents was also made to supplement the primary data. The data collected was presented in a bar graph, a pie chart and score tables. Interpretations and conclusions were made according to the frequency of responses. The findings revealed that there are varying socio-economic as well as environmental factors that compel girls to drop out of school at an early age. The major socio¬economic factor accounting for the early female dropout from the Junior High Schools was poverty manifested by; the parents' inability to pay fees and to provide educational materials to their children, and early marriages. This is worsened by the preference of boys to girls. The study recommends that the government should provide educational materials to female children from very poor families and pass laws that would compel parents to educate their female children. The government together with the school administration should also ensure a safe and clean environment at school and sensitize parents about the need to educate the girl child.