Assessing the Role of Social Welfare Officers in Reduction of School Dropout Among Secondary School Students: A Case of Igunga District Council.

Deodatus, Abakos (2025) Assessing the Role of Social Welfare Officers in Reduction of School Dropout Among Secondary School Students: A Case of Igunga District Council. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study investigated the role of Social Welfare Officers (SWOs) in reducing school dropout among secondary school students in Igunga District Council. The study was guided by three specific objectives: to assess the strategies used by SWOs in reducing dropout, to examine their level of engagement, and to identify barriers hindering their efforts. Guided by Structural Functionalism Theory and grounded in a pragmatism philosophy, the study employed a descriptive research approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that SWOs are not fully implementing strategies aimed at reducing dropout rates among secondary school students. Their limited engagement was attributed to several challenges, including inadequate funding, a shortage of SWOs particularly at the ward level harmful traditional practices, and weak enforcement of relevant laws. These barriers significantly constrain SWOs’ capacity to carry out their roles effectively. The study concluded that the limited application of dropout reduction strategies by SWOs is primarily due to institutional and social constraints. It recommended that the government establish a clear policy to deploy SWOs at both primary and secondary education levels to address student-related issues, including dropout. Furthermore, it emphasized the need for the government, in collaboration with stakeholders, to allocate sufficient resources to support SWOs and facilitate the effective implementation of intervention programs aimed at minimizing school dropout rates. Keywords: Social Welfare Officers, School Dropout Secondary School, Students.

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