Assessment of the Influence of Socio-Cultural, Economic, and School Factors on Dropout of Female Secondary School Students in Muheza District

Said, Bahja Salim (2015) Assessment of the Influence of Socio-Cultural, Economic, and School Factors on Dropout of Female Secondary School Students in Muheza District. Masters thesis, The Open University Of Tanzania.

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Abstract

Education is an essential factor towards any nation’s development. Girls’ education in this perception is more crucial, because girls’ education worldwide provides benefits from the family to national level.For this reason, it is important to examine, and assess the reasons influencing girls’ dropout of schools in Tanzania, specifically in Tanga region, which eventually affects the completion of girls’ education. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of socio-cultural, economic, and school factors on dropout of female students from government schools in Muheza district, Tanga region. The study employed descriptive survey research design, 60 secondary school female students were drawn from each of the sampled schools, three from each form (form one to form four) 25 teachers, 5 female traditional instructors. Moreover, 5-school committee members were purposely selected two from each area of the sample schools. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in the selection of the sample. Interviews, questionnaires, and documentary review were used in process of collecting data, and were analyzed by use of both qualitative and quantitative approach. The findings of this study show that, early marriage, costs of schooling, early teen pregnancy and long distance to and from school affect girls’ participation and eventual the completion of secondary education in Muheza district. This study recommends that both the government and parents should motivate female students by providing them with more opportunities and priorities in academic issues. Build more hostels and dormitories for girls. The government should motivate teachers and increase effort to educate the society on how to eradicate bad cultural practices. Create awareness and advocacy on the importance of secondary education to girls in the society.

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