Abstract:
Truancy has become a burden in schools plaguing the lives and education of students who
fall victim. It is indeed a syndrome that has become deep seated and perpetuating. Various
factors contribute to its occurrence. This study therefore was undertaken to investigate the
causes of student’s truancy in junior high schools, ascertain its effect on their lives and to
determine the measures needed to control it. The study used quantitative research methods.
The target population of the study comprised the teachers and students from junior high
schools in the Bantama Circuit of the Kumasi Metropolis. Samples of 50 teachers were
selected using the purposive sampling technique. This study used questionnaires as
instrument for data collection. The study revealed that primarily, single parenthood arising
from broken homes was the likely cause of students’ truancy. It was clear however that,
the failure of students to perform respectably in school was mostly attributable to truancy.
In the light of this, it was beyond question that truancy has the potential to lead into crook
ways of life, social deviants or educational failure. Appropriate measures like good
relationships between the school, parents and community therefore are needed to control
this educational and social challenge. The study recommended that, effective monitoring
and control team must be constituted on campus by the school authorities to check truancy.
This will put some fear in students who intend to misbehave. Again, good relationships
must be established between the school, parents and community such that collaborative
efforts can be garnered to fight truancy, both in the school and at home.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of Educational Leadership, Faculty of Education
and Communication Sciences, submitted to the School of Research and Graduate
Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for award of the Master of Arts (Educational Leadership) degree
DECEMBER, 2020