An investigation into factors affecting girl child school dropout in Bigasa Sub-County Bukomansimbi District Uganda

Abstract

The qualitative study investigated the causes of girl child dropout in five selected schools in Bigasa sub-county, Bukomansimbi district Eastern Uganda. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the institutional factors leading to school dropout, to find out if there are some cultural factors in society which cause girls to dropout of schools, to establish if the government policies have influenced girls to dropout of schools and to find out if family background has influenced girls to drop out of school. The study utilized a questionnaire to obtain data from the respondents, about factors for girl child school dropout. Observations were also made to consolidate the findings. Findings showed that government had formulated gender blind policies which could not effectively empower girl’s education. The girls were dropping out of school because there was no legislation against the social customs that negatively affected them such as early marriages, the burden of domestic cores and gender preferences. It was also discovered that the curriculum was overloaded and not gender responsive. The school learning environment was also a problem because the teachers had a negative attitude towards over age girls. Sanitation conditions were appalling in some schools and thereby appealing girl children from schools. Most dominant was cultural values beliefs and practices. It was recommended that sensitization and legislation against negative culture be initiated starting with the family where the roots of socialization begins until it perpetuates the whole society. It was also recommended the curriculum be enriched and legal and judicial institutions be upgraded.