Pupil Absenteeism and Academic Performance in Selected Primary Schools in Kyarumba Sub County, Kasese District

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION

APPROVAL 11

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LISTOFACRONYMS V

LISTOFTABLES vi

TABLE OF CONTENT vii

ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 2

1.3 Purpose of the study 3

1.4 Objectives of the study 3

1.4.1 Specific objectives 3

1.5 Research questions 3

1.6 Scope of the study 4

1.7 Significance/justification of the study 4

1.8 Limitations to the study 5

CHAPTER TWO 6

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERkTURE 6

VII

2.0 Background .6

2.1 Introduction .6

2.2 Defining learner absenteeism and related concepts 6

2.3 Prevalence of absenteeism: A comparative view 8

2.4 Causes of pupil absenteeism 9

2.5 Effects of absenteeism on pupil performance 11

2.6 Monitoring and managing learner absenteeism 12

CHAPTERTHREE 14

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 14

3.0 Introduction 14

3.1 Research design 14

3.2 Study area 14

3.3 Population/respondents 14

Table 1: Showing population size of pupils in the area of study 15

3.4 Sampling strategies 16

3.5 Sample size 16

3.6 Data collection instruments 17

3.6.1 The questionnaire 17

3.6.2 The interview guide 17

3.6.3 Observation schedule 17

3.6.4 Focus group discussion guide 17

3.7 Data analysis 17

3.8 Ethical consideration 18

VII I

CHAPTER FOUR .19

PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS 19

4.0 Introduction 19

4.0. 1 Social — economic characteristics of the respondents 19

Table 3: Showing categories of respondents 20

4.0.2 Qualifications of respondents 20

4.1 Research question one 21

4.1.1 What are the causes of pupil absenteeism2 21

Table 5: Showing causes of pupil absenteeism 22

4.2 Research question two 27

4.2.1 Attitudes towards good academic performance 27

Table 6: Showing the attitudes towards good academic performance 27

4.3 Research question three 29

4.3.0 What mechanisms are being employed to address the challenge of

absenteeism2 29

4.3.1 Absenteeism as a challenge in schools 29

Table 7: Showing absenteeism as a challenge in schools 29

4.3.2 Stakeholders involved in fighting absenteeism 31

4.3.3 What should government do to promote attendance and improve

academic performance2 32

Table 9: Showing what government should do to promote attendance and

improve academic performance 33

ix

CHAPTER FIVE ~

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 35

5.0 Introduction

5.1 Summary

5.2 RecommendationS 36

5.2.1 The government; 36

5.2.2 Teachers 36

5.2.3 Parents

5.3 Conclusion

REFERENCES 38

APPENDIXA

TRANSMITTAL LETTER 40

APPENDIX B 41

QUESTIONNAIRE 41

APPENDIX C 54

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE 54