Poverty and School Drop Out in Alerek Sub-County Abim District, Uganda

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

DECLARATION .

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES ix

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

DEFINITION OF TERMS xi

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0. Introduction

1.2. Background of the study 1

1 .3. Statement the problem 5

1 .4. Research purpose 5

1 .5. Research objectives s

1 .6. Research questions/thesis 6

1 .7. Significance of the study 6

1.8. Scope of the study 6

CHAPTER TWO 7

LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.0. Introduction 7

2.1. Causes of poverty 7

V

2.2. Causes of school dropout .12

21. The impact of poverty on school drop out 15

2.4. Solutions to the problems 15

CHAPTER THREE 18

METHODOLOGY 18

3.0. Introduction 18

3.1. Research design 18

3.2. Population and sampling 18

3.3. Research area/environment 18

3.4. Research instruments 1 8

3.5. Data collection procedure 18

3.6. Statistical treatment of data 19

3.7. Limitations of the study 19

3.8. Ethical issues 19

CHAPTERFOUR 20

DATA PRESENTATION INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS 20

4.0. Introduction 20

4.1. Background 20

4.2 Background information 20

4.2.1. Causes of school dropout in school 21

4.3 Impact of poverty to school drop out 27

4.4. Solutions to drop-out problems 3 1

vi

CHAPTER FIVE .33

FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 33

5.0 Introduction 33

5.1. Findings. Causes of school dropouts) 33

5.2. The impact of poverty on school drop out 35

5.3. Solutions to the problems 36

5.4. Conclusion 38

5.5. Recommendations 38

BIBLIOGRAPHY 40

APPENDICES 41

APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRES FOR TEACHERS 41

APPENDIX B QUESTIONNAIRE FOR STUDENTS 49

APPENDIX C: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR PARENTS 54

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the causers of poverty and school drop out of students selected in schools in Alerek Sub-county~ Abim District, Uganda. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the cause of school dropout, to find out the impact of poverty on school dropout and establish solutions to the school dropout problem in Alerek Sub-county~ Abim District, Uganda. The methods used for data collection was interviews for the parents and questionnaires for teachers and students involved in the study The findings were presented and interpreted in relation to the study objectives and research questions, while linking to the existing literature, results included demographic characteristics, frequency and percentages. Basing on the findings. It was observed that poverty affected and caused school drop outs negatively. In chapter Alerek Sub-county, Abim five development of solutions to the problems, effects and causes of drop out. The findings suggested some recommendations on areas of providing free education for all students, bursaries and also dealing with parents who force their children in early marriage.