TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION
APPROVAL
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
ABSTRACT
ABBREVIATIONS
CHAPTER ONE 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.0. Background of the study 1
1.1. Statementofthe problem 2
1.2. Purpose of the study 2
1.3. Specific objectives 2
1.4. Research Questions 3
1.5. Scope of the Study 3
1.6. Significance of the Study 3
1.7. Definition of Terms 4
CHAPrER ~—w~
L1fERArURE REVIEW 5
2.0. Introduction 5
CIIAP1ER TIIREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 14
3.0. Introduction 14
3.1. Research Design 14
V
3.2. Research Area~ 14
3.3. Target Population 14
3.4. Sample Size And Sampling Techniques 14
3.5. Sources Of Data Gathered 15
3.6. Instrumentation 15
3.7. Reliability Of Instruments 15
3.8. Procedure Of Data Collection 15
3.9. Data Processing And Analysis 16
CHAPTER
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION OF FINDING AND
DISCUSSION 17
4.0. Introduction 17
4.1. Background Information 17
4.1.1. Teachers Level of Training 17
4.1.2. Plans for Upgrading 18
4.1.3. Teaching Experience 19
4.1.4. Gender of Teachers 19
4.2. Government Policies And Girl Child Dropout 20
4.2.1. The Policy Of Cost Sharing And Its Effect On Girl Child Education 20
4.2.2. Government Legal Framework On Security And Safety Of Girls 21
4.2.3. How Responsible Is the Curriculum to Girl Children 22
4.3. Institution Based Influences On Girl’s Retention in Public Primary Schools 23
4.3.1. Teachers Attitudes towards Their Girl’s Education 24
4.3.2. Attitude Towards Over Age in Class 24
4.3.3. Observation On How Conducive The Learning Facilities Were 24
4.4. Cultural Based Influences of Girl Dropout 24
4.4.1. Cultural Practices that Cause Children to Dropout 25
4.4.2. Effect of Cultural Practices in Children Especially Children 26
4.5. Family Background and School Dropout 27
vi
CHAPTER FIVE •n~na#n,unnsn..n~~ 29
SUMMARY OF FINDING, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ~29
5.0. Introduction 29
5.1. Summary of Findings 29
5.2. Conclusion 30
5.3. Recommendations 31
5.4. Future Research Areas 32
REFERENCES
APPENDICES 34
APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE 34
APPENDIX I: BUDGET PROPOSAL 36
ABSTRACT The qualitative study investigated the causes of girl child dropout in five selected schools in Budadiri Mbale 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 atUtude 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.