The Major Factors That Influence Basic School Dropout in Rural Ghana: The Case of Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Abstract

Education is a key to the realization of most of the goals and targets of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Education as a development tool is upheld by most development theorist as essential in the progression of every society. However, in recent times school dropout has become a serious canker in Ghanaian societies, especially in the rural areas. Based on this backdrop, the study sought to ascertain the major influencing factors affecting basic school dropout in rural Ghana, Asunafo South District of Ghana, a critical study of the Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative research strategies in analyzing the findings of the study. The design of the study was a cross-sectional research design which involves the retrieving of data from study participants, mostly from multiple groups, thus; dropouts, their parents, head teachers, head of Educational Management Information System (EMIS) department and the District Education Director. Data was gathered through questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews and participant observation. The data collected were analysed through both quantitative and qualitative means. The study found that poverty, child labour, teenage pregnancy and distance to school are the major causes of dropout in the Asunafo South District. It was also found that teacher’s attitude, corporal punishment, death and sickness of parents lead to dropouts in schools. It is therefore recommended that, there should be poverty reduction strategies in the development of appropriate policies and intervention strategies to help poor people improve their livelihood. The paper also recommends that education campaigns should be intensified throughout the country. Public sensitization about the value and importance of education should be strengthened. The study again recommends that, the government should treat the school dropout issue seriously and make national education plans to assist the poor continue with their studies. Interventions by educational policy makers, the Government, NGOs, etc. to reduce dropout rate should not be focused on only female pupils but also on male pupils as well.

Keywords: Dropout, Education, Basic School, Rural Ghana, Asunafo South