A study of the causes of dropout in public primary schools in Ndoleli Division, Igembe North District, Kenya

Abstract

Education plays an important role in socializing the individual to fit and participate adequately in development of the society. The study aimed at investigating the causes of pupil dropout in public primary schools in Ndoleli division, Igembe North district. The study was reckoned due to the allegations of increased pupil droput rate in public primary schools causing wastage and affecting the quality of the school curriculum implementation. To carry out those study, research objectives were developed basing on (1) the extent to which school environmental factors affected primary school dropout rate, (2) the influence of gender on primary school dropout, (3) the effect of cultural related factors on school dropout and (4) the effects of parents' socio-economic status on school dropout in Ndoleli division, Igembe North district.

The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study targeted 1072 pupils in class eight, 26 class teachers and 26 head teachers. Out of this target population, a sample size of 26 class teachers, 26 headteachers, and 107 pupils in class eight was selected. Data were collected using class teachers' and pupils' questionnaires and headteachers' interview guide to gather information on the causes of school dropout. Data were analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and the findings presented inform of figures and tables.

The study findings indicated that poor performance, forced class repetition, indiscipline, influence of miraa farming and business, circumcision, marriage and pregnancy were the main causes of school dropout. It further pointed out that the factors leading to the dropout of girls are different from those for boys. The study therefore recommend that the government and other stakeholders should address the issue of school dropout rate and come up with measures to curb it to avoid wastage of school curriculum resources and facilities and above all, wastage of them would be future leaders full of discovery knowledge for this current era of information and technology.

In addition, the government should strengthen policies on the expenditure of the FPE set aside to benefit all children for quality education. Last, a similar study should be done in other areas in Kenya for comparison purposes and to all generalization of findings on the . causes of dropout in public primary schools.