Socio-Economic and Religious Factors Contributing to Drop Out Among Male Pupils in Primary Schools of Igembe Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Education plays a key role in human development through the process of empowering people to improve their well being and participation in national building. Drop out however poses a serious threat to gains in education despite the government emphasis on education for all by the year 2015. In Igembe sub County the problem is more pronounced among the male children.  This study sought information on causes of drop out among boys and strategies that could be adopted to address the problem. The study established that drop out of male pupils was a common problem that required urgent attention. The major factors leading to drop out included: child labor, family instability, initiation, drug abuse and lack of role models.  The study recommends affirmative action for the boy child, abolishing of child labor and initiation of boys only after completion of primary school as strategies that could address dropout among male pupils.

Keywords: Dropout, Male pupils, Primary Schools