Cultural and Economic Factors Contributing to Students Dropout in Community Secondary Schools in Longido District

Mbanzibwa, Renatus (2013) Cultural and Economic Factors Contributing to Students Dropout in Community Secondary Schools in Longido District. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

There has been a great concern about school dropout, particularly among secondary school students. This study sought to investigate the cultural and economic factors contributing to students’ dropout in community secondary schools in Longido District. Specifically, the study sought to, examine the influence of the rites of passage on students’ dropout, examine how poverty determine dropout, find out if nomadism contributes to students’ dropout and examine students’ dropout by class level from 2007-2013 in community secondary schools. A total of 32 teachers were administered with structured questionnaires whereas four heads of secondary schools, three Ward Education Officers, and one District Education Officer was interviewed. School dropout documents were obtained from four strategically selected schools. Results showed that rites of passages caused 43 percent of dropout. It was followed by poverty (10 percent) while nomadism (6 percent) was rated in the third position. Altogether, these factors accounted for 59 percent of dropout. Non-cultural and economic factors led to 41 percent of dropouts. The levels of school dropout were 42, 28, 16, and 14 percent at Ketumbeine, Namanga, Longido and Engarenaibor secondary schools’ respectively for classes enrolled from 2007 - 2010 and graduated in 2010 - 2013. It is recommended that serious efforts be made to encourage the society to change some of the cultural practices which negatively affect education. The author is of the opinion that promotion of mixed economy could lead to reduced dropout as it results into permanent settlement

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