Abstract:
This present study investigates the factors that influence high school students’ decision
to drop out of school, and why they return to school in the Jirapa Municipal in the Upper
West Region. The study employed mixed methods approach comprising both qualitative
and quantitative research techniques. Within the study sample, the researcher sought to
explore how different social groups (i.e. sex) were affected by the menace of school
dropout. The semi-structured questionnaire was used, where the researcher used the
snowball sampling technique to reach 50 participants to respond to the questionnaire.
Based on the responses to the questionnaire, a focus group discussion was organized.
Two groups of six students and five teachers were recorded during the focus group
discussion, transcribed and used for the study. The results findings revealed that high
school students’ drop out of school is still rampant in the Jirapa Municipality, with the
female high school students being at more risk of dropping out of school than their male
counterparts. Also, results revealed that drop out as a result of family issues is more in
the district followed by dropout as a result of school issues and finally, issues of the
society had fewer occurrences. Based on the research findings, it is clear that high school
dropout is still a canker in Ghana hence there is the need for more pragmatic
governmental and non-governmental policies like provision of school uniform and books
for high school students and establishing needy students’ fund for high school students
who are really very needy and that will enhance the retention of students in school. On
the aspect of school dropouts returning to school, the NGOs can use the snowball
technique to identify these dropouts, help them solve their problems and encourage them
to return to school.
Description:
A Project Report in the Department of Educational Leadership, Faculty of
Education and Communication Sciences, submitted to the School of Graduate
Studies, University of Education, Winneba, in Partial fulfillment of the
requirements for award of the Master of Arts (Educational Leadership) degree
MAY, 2021