TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION
APPROVAL ii
DECLARATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES x
LISTOFFIGURES xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiii
CHAPTER ONE 14
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY 14
1.1 Introduction 14
1.2 Background to the Problem 14
1.3 Problem Statement 15
1.4 Objectives ofthe Study 16
1.4.1 General Objective 16
1.4.2 Specific Objectives 16
1.5 Research Questions 16
1.6 Research Tasks 16
1.7 Significance of the Study El
1.8 Conceptual Framework 17
1,9 Definitions of Key Terms 18
1.10 Delirnitations ofthe Study 18
1.11 Limitation ofthe Study 18
CHAPTER TWO 19
LITERATURE REVIEW 19
2.1 Introduction 19
2.2 School Related Factors on Influencing Absenteeism in Community Secondary Schools 19
2.2.1 School Leadership 19
2.2.2 Teacher Related Factors 20
2.2.3 Student Related Factors 22
2.3 Physical Facilities 23
vi
2.3.1 School Environment and Location .23
2.3.2 Weather 23
2.3.3 Buildings 23
2.4 Community Related Factors 24
2.4.1 Socio Economic Status of a Parent 24
2.4.2 Marital Siatns of a Parent 24
2.4.3 The Education Act 25
2.4.4 Knowledge Gap 26
CHAPTERTHREE 27
RESERCH METHODOLOGY 27
3.1 Introduction 27
3.2 Research Methodology 27
3.3 Research Design 27
3.4 The Study Area 27
3.5 Population 28
3.5.1 Sample and Sampling Procedure 28
3.5.2 Population and Sample Size 28
3.6 Data Collection Methods 29
3.6.1 Interview 29
3.6.2 Questionnaire 29
3.6.3 Documentary Revie\v 29
3.7 Reliability and Validity of Data Collection Instruments 30
3.8 Data Analysis 30
3.9 ResearchEthicallssues 30
CHAPTER FOUR 31
PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCH FINDINGS 31
4.1 Introduction 31
4.2 The Level of Absenteeism in Community Secondary Schools in Lira District 31
4.2.1 The Level of Absenteeism Among Selected Secondary Schools Students in Lira District 31
4.2.2 The Level of Absenteeism In term of Students Gender 32
4.2.3 The Level of Absenteeism In term of Season 33
4.3 Factors lni1u~ncing Absenteeism in Secondary Schools 34
4.3.1 Community Related Factors 34
4.3.1.1 Absenteeism Caused by Roaming About 34
VI
4.3.1.2 Absenteeism Caused by Taking Care of Young Brothers and Sisters 35
4.3.1.3 Absenteeism Caused by Students Involving in Income Generating Activities 36
4.3.1.4 Absentceism Caused by Being House Girls or Boys 37
4.3,1.5 Absenteeism Caused by Single Parent Families 37
4.3.1.6 Absenteeism Caused by Family Conflicts 38
4.3.2 School Related Factors 39
4.3.2.1 The Heaclmasters’’ Ineffectiveness on Student Attendance 39
4.3.2.2 Communication between Heads of School and Their Staff as Absenteeism Factor 40
4.3.2.3 Lack of Clear Policy on Managing Student Absenteeism 41
4.3.2.4 Lack of Strategies by Heads of School 41
4.3.2.5 Harsh Punishments as a Source of Absenteeism 42
4.3.2.7 Students Lacking Expectations 44
4.3.2.8 Poor P~~r Groupings as a Source of Absenteeism 45
4.3.2.10 Clearing and Slashing School Environment as Source of Absenteeism 46
4.3.3 Physical Facilities Related Factors 47
4.3.3.1 Inconvenient Distance from Home to School 47
4.3.3.2 Unreliable Transport to School led to Poor Student Attendance 47
4.3.3.3 Unattractivu School Buildings as a Source of Students Absenteeism 48
4.3.3.4 Inadequacy of Learning Resources 49
4.3.3.5 Lack of Basic needs 50
4.4 Effects of Absenteeism 50
CHAPTER FIVE 52
DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS 52
5.1 Introduction 52
5.2 Level ofAhsenteeism in Community Secondary Schools 52
5.2.1 Absenteeism in Lira District Secondary School by Gender 52
5.2.2 Attendance of Students in Secondary Schools During Rainy Seasons 52
5.3 Factors Instigate Students to Abscond Schooling 52
5.3.1 Commuinty Related Factors 53
5.3.1.1 Roaming About 53
5.3.1.2 Students Taking Care oftheir Young Brothers and Sisters 53
5.3.1.3 Student involvement in Income Generating Activities 53
5.3.1.4 Responses on the need to give Students School Materials 53
5.3.1.5 Effect of Single Family on Student Attendance 54
VIII
5.3.1.6 Effect of Family Conflict on Student Absenteeism 54
5.3.2 School Related Factors 55
5.3.2.1 School Administration 55
5.3.2.2 Lack of Communication between Heads of School and Class teachers 55
5.3.2.3 Lack of Strategies by Heads of School on Student Absenteeism 56
5.3.2.4 Corporal Punishment to Students 56
5.3.2.5 Poor Teaching Styles Adopted by Teachers 57
5.3.2,6 Low Expectations of Students from what is 1-lappening in School 57
5.3.2.7 Poor peer Groupings 57
5.3.2.8 Effect of Incapable Students in Academic 57
5.3.3 Physical Related Factors Influencing Student Absenteeism in the School 58
5.3.3.1 Distances from Home to School 58
5.3.3.2 Unreliable Transport to School 58
5.3.3.3 Clearing and Slashing School Environment 58
5.3.3.4 Unattractive School Building 59
5.3.3.5 Inadequate learning Resources 59
5.4 Responses based on Absenteeism on Poor Performance 59
6.1 Conclusion 59
6.2 Recommendations 60
6.3 Suggestions tar F~uitlter Studies 60
6.4 Budget Estimates 60
REFERENCES 61
APPENDICES 66
APPENDiX 1 69
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the causes of Absenteeism in community secondary schools in Lira District. This study was guided by three objectives namely; to explore the level of Absenteeism in community secondary schools in Lira District, to identify factors influencing Absenteeism in community secondary schools in Lira District and distinguishing the impact of Absenteeism in community secondary schools in Lira District. Data was collected by using questionnaires, interview guide and documents. The analysis involved quantifying frequencies of responses which were later presented in Tables. The study had a sample of 97 participants. The study revealed factors which influence Absenteeism in secondary schools include:- Lack of administrative strategies by heads of school on student Absenteeism , corporal punishments offered to students, low expectation of students from what happens in schools, poor peer groupings, distance from home to school, unreliable transport to school, weather aspect especially in rain season, variation in socio economic status of parents (SES), family divorce, lack of clear policy on managing student Absenteeism in secondary schools, parents keeping themselves distant from their children academic performance and teachers to be not close enough to their students, Thus, the study recommend the government through Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) to introduce compulsory attendance law similar to that in primary education, to involve parents in their children education and Teachers are recommended to develop a habit of being attentive to problems raised by students for better assistance.