An investigation on administrative factors responsible for late coming of learners in selected day secondary schools of Choma district,Zambia.

Abstract

This study focused on administrative factors responsible for late coming of learners in selected day secondary schools of Choma district, Southern Province. It was prompted by the learners‟ general late coming at day secondary schools which might have an effect on the learners‟ and teachers‟ performance. The sample comprised two out of the seven day secondary schools in Choma district of Southern Province, one rural and the other urban based. The research targeted 30 participants in total. These were; head teachers, Heads of Departments, subject coordinators, teachers, pupils and parents/guardians. The study used purposive sampling. It employed the qualitative data collection instruments which included interview guides and observation checklist. Qualitative data collection instruments were employed in order to ensure efficiency and accuracy in data collection. Data collected was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study revealed that some late coming cases among learners were as a result of administration failure to mitigate the problem. The following factors came out: leniency to late comers by the administration, lack of functional policy on late coming, lack of firmness by the teachers on duty, long distances covered by some learners as well as involvement of learners in domestic chores/activities assigned by parents/guardians. The study concluded that two main recommendations to policy makers, Education officers and school mangers and these were: develop a policy on late coming and provide boarding facilities.