Dropping out and girls’ education: What are the factors to dropout? A case of Masumbwe Division in Mbogwe district, Tanzania

Female students face challenges in the schooling process such as lack of school fees, early pregnancies and distances from home to school, which lead to drop out from school. The study therefore sought to establish the factors leading to drop out among female students in Masumbwe division, Mbogwe District. The objectives of the study were: To determine the school based factors that lead to drop out of female students in secondary schools, disclose socio cultural factors that lead to drop out of female students in secondary schools and to explain students’ personal factors that lead to drop out from secondary schools. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Stratified random sampling was used to select the mixed day schools. A sample of 40 form four students, 32 teachers, 4 heads of schools and one District Education Officer were the respondents of this study. The study employed questionnaires, interview schedule and school documents as instruments for data collection. The validity of the questionnaires was enhanced through pilot study in two schools outside division. The data was then analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages, for all items. The study findings were that students dropped out of secondary school due to: pregnancy, lack of school fees, anddistance from the school to home. The form 2 class registered the highest number of drop outs. The conclusion from the findings is that female dropping outs from school is a reality. The study recommends community sensitization on the importance of girl child education, building of hostels for girls, provision of bursaries and proper monitoring of schools by all education stakeholders. The implementation of the recommendations by all stakeholders will enhance retention and smooth transition of female students in secondary school