Causes Of School Drop Out In Selected Primary Schools Of Makindye Division, Kampala District Uganda

ABSTRACT 

The study was carried out to find out the factors responsible for school dropout in selected primary schools of Makindye division Kampala district which include Biotec primary school, Kisugu primary school, Kansanga Junior school, Bunga primary school and Good Will primary school with the aim of investigating the responsible factors for school dropouts in those schools, challenges they face as far as education is concerned and measures to solve the problem. The population studied was 80 pupils in ten selected primary schools. A simplified questionnaire was designed for the pupils to fill in. the findings were made where the study reveals that the existence of various factors leading to school dropout; some major factors are cultural practices which disregard girl child education, fear of sexual harassment by teachers, poverty and home cores among others. All the teachers therefore concurred that they do experience school dropout in their schools with a low figure of 50% describing the drop out rate as being low. These findings are in line with Zimmerman and George (2000) and Douglas (1996) uni-laterally identified the above mentioned factors and recommendations were made where the government should make it a crime to keep school going age children at home and parent/guardians or any other person found in fault should be severely punished in accordance to the Jaw; The ministry of education and supports should ensure aggressive sensitization programs aimed at educating the local communities about the importance of educating and encouraging children to take academic seriously; Career guidance should be regularly carried out by primary schools and in such occasions, successful men and women in society should be brought as guest speakers to inspire and trigger interests in students to take studies seriously. lX