Curbing absenteeism from juinor secondary examination:investigation strategies employed in selected schools of Chingola District
Date
2016
Authors
Sikelo, Musumpuka Enelia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
Absenteeism from Junior Secondary Examination had been and still continues to be an issue for most schools country over. Chingola District Educations Board Secretary reported 6013 entries for the 2015 Grade 9 examinations, from this number the total sat were 5159, which makes 854 absentees from these exams. The Ministry of Education reported that 383,676 entered for Grade 7 examinations country over registered 39160 absentees. It is against this background that this study discussed curbing absenteeism from Junior Secondary Examinations: investigating the strategies employed in selected schools in Chingola district. The specific objectives were to investigate the strategies employed by schools management in curbing absenteeism from examinations and to suggest ways of strengthening the measures of curbing absenteeism.
The study employed a descriptive survey design following a qualitative technique of data collection and analysis. The qualitative method used semi-structured interviews and observation for head teachers and or deputy head teachers. The sample consisted of 10 head teachers and or deputy head teachers drawn from the 10 schools which offer Junior Secondary Examinations. The data was analyzed by use of thematic analysis of data, were the data was coded according to the emerging themes.
The results of the study revealed that schools employ various strategies among which were the implementation of the government policy on absenteeism, registration of pupils, counselling of |upils, parental involvement in education, motivation of pupils, syllabi coverage and jfxamination preparation techniques. The respondents suggested the following ways to strengthen the above strategies, active parental involvement in the education of their children, adequate guidance and counselling departments, syllabi completion, policy on absenteeism and social welfare aid.
Suggestions and recommendations were made based on the findings to meet the objectives and these include; that a comprehensive policy on absenteeism be framed,; that full time counsellors be employed; those parents who do not show concern in the education of their children be tried to the full extent of the law and that teachers finish the syllabi before the examination and to have extensive revision designed by schools managements to revise with the pupils before the examinations.
Description
Master of Education in Educational Management
Keywords
Absenteeism--Junior secondary examination--Zambia , Education, secondary--Zambia