Department of Applied Educational Sciences

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Browsing Department of Applied Educational Sciences by Advisor "Shaimemanya, C. N. S"

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    Exploring determinants of learner dropout in Kavango West region rural primary schools
    (University of Namibia, 2024) Igonda, Tuwilika Kondjeni; Shaimemanya, C. N. S
    The research aims to explore the determinants of dropout among primary school learners in rural schools and find the strategies that can be applied to retain learners in school until they complete secondary school. The study employed a qualitative research approach where data was gathered from the participants through face-to-face interviews and observations. A purposive sampling method was used to select twenty participants of the study, which included learners who dropped out of school and returned, parents and guardians of the learners who dropped out of school and returned, Life Skills teachers, and Principals. The study found that family/community factors and school/system factors have a huge impact on dropout rates among primary school learners in rural areas. More male learners lack motivation and were found to be dropping out of school at an early age than female learners. More learners faced physical and emotional abuse at home from their parents. While some parents kept their children at home to take care of their younger siblings, others left children alone in their houses near the school while they went to work on their fields in the inland. There was an increase in dropout and absenteeism whenever there was no food at school. The maize meals arrived late at schools causing learners to drop out due to hunger, especially those who lived alone and those who stayed far from school. Teachers have shown to have limited knowledge on how to support learners who returned to school and those who are at risk of dropping out of school. A major collaboration between stakeholders is encouraged to address the factors that influence primary school learners in rural areas to drop out of school