Managing learners' attendance in schools: a case study of selected primary schools along the shores in Mpulungu district of lake Tanganyika.
Date
2018
Authors
Kalimaposo, Catherine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Learner absenteeism is one of the major precursors to poor academic performance in rural
primary schools. If learners miss school, they do not learn and ultimately they fail or drop-out.
Notwithstanding, this problem does not receive the attention it deserves. The purpose of the
study was to investigate factors associated with learners’ low attendance. Learners’ low
attendance is the major factor to poor performance in rural primary schools. The study was
conducted in Mpulungu District of Northern Province in Zambia. A qualitative study design was
adopted. Interviews guide, focus group discussion, document review and observation were used
as data gathering techniques focusing on three selected primary schools, with a high rate of
learner absenteeism, along the shore of Lake Tanganyika in Mpulungu District. Participants were
purposefully selected which involved head teachers, teachers, pupils and parents. The purpose of
the study was to gain some insight into the management challenges faced by managers and
teachers and the strategies they use to reduce learner low attendance in schools. The study
evaluated factors associated with learner attendance in selected primary schools along the shores
of Lake Tanganyika in Mpulungu District and determined the levels of learner attendance in
these schools. It also established the perspectives of school administrators, teachers and pupils on
learner attendance and ascertained strategies and policies that had been put in place to address
the problem of learner attendance in selected primary schools along the shores of Lake
Tanganyika in Mpulungu District. Factors that contribute to low learners’ attendance were
identified and categorized as environmental factors and home factors. Generally, these factors
mostly, included social-related factors such as the attitudes of family members of pupils towards
school, the attitudes of individual pupils towards school and failure to adapt to the school and
physical environment. This study therefore, concludes with recommendations that may help in
improving learners’ low attendance in primary schools in order to improve teaching and learning
in primary schools along the Lake shores.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Absenteeism. , Managing learners’ attendance in school.