Community perceptions about the causes and early intervention strategies on high rates of absenteeism and truancy in junior high schools in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal

Abstract

The study was conducted to find out community perceptions of the causes of high rates of absenteeism and truancy, their prevention and early intervention strategies in Junior High schools in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. The objectives of the study were University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xi to determine community perceptions of the causes of high rates of absenteeism and truancy in Junior High schools, ascertain perceived dominant causes of high rates of absenteeism and truancy in Junior High schools and to establish the prevention and early intervention strategies to mitigate high rates of absenteeism and truancy in the Adoagyiri Circuit of the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. Cross sectional survey design was used for the study. The target population for the study consisted of all the teachers, parents and stakeholders such as NGO, CBO, Religious bodies, Traditional rulers, Educationist. The accessible population consisted of 280 teachers, 60 parents and 30 stakeholders. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample size of 185 for the study. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data for the study. The study found among others that the child’s lack of motivation to achieve academically at school is a community’s view on the cause of truancy. Parental neglect of child in the educational process is a domestic factor that contributes to students’ truancy. All the prevention and early intervention strategies found, when implemented very well could help to improve students’ school attendance to reduce truancy if not to avert truancy. It is recommended based on the findings and conclusions that the Ghana Education Service should organize regular training workshops for head teachers and teachers on how to avoid the school factors that cause students truancy in school to improve academic performance.