TABLE OF CONTENT
DECLARATION
APPROVAL 11
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
LISTOFACRONYMS V
LISTOFTABLES vi
TABLE OF CONTENT vii
ABSTRACT xi
CHAPTER ONE 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 2
1.3 Purpose of the study 3
1.4 Objectives of the study 3
1.4.1 Specific objectives 3
1.5 Research questions 3
1.6 Scope of the study 4
1.7 Significance/justification of the study 4
1.8 Limitations to the study 5
CHAPTER TWO 6
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERkTURE 6
VII
2.0 Background .6
2.1 Introduction .6
2.2 Defining learner absenteeism and related concepts 6
2.3 Prevalence of absenteeism: A comparative view 8
2.4 Causes of pupil absenteeism 9
2.5 Effects of absenteeism on pupil performance 11
2.6 Monitoring and managing learner absenteeism 12
CHAPTERTHREE 14
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 14
3.0 Introduction 14
3.1 Research design 14
3.2 Study area 14
3.3 Population/respondents 14
Table 1: Showing population size of pupils in the area of study 15
3.4 Sampling strategies 16
3.5 Sample size 16
3.6 Data collection instruments 17
3.6.1 The questionnaire 17
3.6.2 The interview guide 17
3.6.3 Observation schedule 17
3.6.4 Focus group discussion guide 17
3.7 Data analysis 17
3.8 Ethical consideration 18
VII I
CHAPTER FOUR .19
PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS 19
4.0 Introduction 19
4.0. 1 Social — economic characteristics of the respondents 19
Table 3: Showing categories of respondents 20
4.0.2 Qualifications of respondents 20
4.1 Research question one 21
4.1.1 What are the causes of pupil absenteeism2 21
Table 5: Showing causes of pupil absenteeism 22
4.2 Research question two 27
4.2.1 Attitudes towards good academic performance 27
Table 6: Showing the attitudes towards good academic performance 27
4.3 Research question three 29
4.3.0 What mechanisms are being employed to address the challenge of
absenteeism2 29
4.3.1 Absenteeism as a challenge in schools 29
Table 7: Showing absenteeism as a challenge in schools 29
4.3.2 Stakeholders involved in fighting absenteeism 31
4.3.3 What should government do to promote attendance and improve
academic performance2 32
Table 9: Showing what government should do to promote attendance and
improve academic performance 33
ix
CHAPTER FIVE ~
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 35
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Summary
5.2 RecommendationS 36
5.2.1 The government; 36
5.2.2 Teachers 36
5.2.3 Parents
5.3 Conclusion
REFERENCES 38
APPENDIXA
TRANSMITTAL LETTER 40
APPENDIX B 41
QUESTIONNAIRE 41
APPENDIX C 54
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE 54
ABSTRACT The study set out to establish the influence of pupil absenteeism on academic performance of pupils in selected primary schools in Kyarumba sub county Kasese district. It was guided by the following research questions; V/hat are the causes ofpupil absenteeism? Is there a relationship between pupil absenteeism and level of academic performance in primary schools? What mechanisms are being employed to address the challenges of absenteeism? The study targeted a population of 390.08 Head Teachers, 320 pupils, 40 teachers and 22 parents were sampled. Qualitative methods of investigation were employed in collecting data. The data was analyzed and the findings ofthe study revealed that; The causes of absenteeism were very many and brought about by the pupils, parents, guardians, teachers, I-lead teachers and government in most cases the parents were found to be the ones forcing pupils to be absent. There is a significancy relation between absenteeism and level of academic performance. Most pupils who always attended school regularly. There was no serious mechanisms of encouraging those who were always present and neither was there a clear way of discouraging those who were always absent in the light of these findings of the study it was recommended that; there should be a deliberate effort to fight absenteeism as a danger to accidemic good performance and not just talking it in passing. There should be an aggressive move to remind and sensitize all stukeholders about their role in implementing universal primary education if we are going to achieve the education for all (EFA). There should be a deliberate effort to involve all education stakeholders and implore them to play their rightful roles. In the case of the mid-day meal, much as it is the role of every parent to feed their children, security policy that can always rescue those who may be experiencing famine. This will enable all families to provide a mid day meal for their children.