Management of risk factors of children who drop out of school: a case study of girls in Monze district.

Abstract

Many studies on school dropouts in Zambia have concentrated on the factors that influence Primary, Basic and Secondary school dropouts. Ministry of Education reports have shown that there are so many school dropouts despite the interventions and management measures put in place by the Government, Non-governmental organisations, school and community. No studies have been conducted in Monze District focusing on the management of girls who drop out of school. This study aimed at establishing risk factors of high level of drop outs among girls in two schools secondary schools, three basic schools and five villages in Monze District from grade 5 to 12 in the period 2015 to 2018. The objective were; to identify the Risk factors that contribute to the dropping out of girls, to examine the strategies that exist in schools to prevent girls drop out and to investigate the designing strategies that school managers use to involve the community to enhance students‟ retention. The researcher adopted a descriptive case study design. The target population was 30 which consisted of 5 Head teachers, 10 teachers and 5 parents who were purposely selected while 10 pupils were selected using random sampling. Questionnaires, focus group discussions and semi structured interviews were used to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically by categorizing related topics to the study, making themes, interpreting and summarizing them according to the research objectives. The findings of the study showed that the school and the community still have a lot to do in order to manage the Risk factors. The major factors were three themes; to identify the risk factors that affects girls‟ retention in schools in Chikuni and Rusangu area, to examine management strategies that are used by schools to prevent girls drop out and to investigate the strategies that the community use to enhance girls‟ retention. Some recommendations from the findings are; Government should continue to sensitize girls, parents and guardians the importance of girls‟ education, establish colleges and skill training centres in Monze District so as to motivate girls to continue with education. The researchers has recommended for further studies on Management of Risk factors and concludes by encouraging the Government to revise the Education Reforms by including Management of Risk factors.