End the school dropout crisis

So, what happened to the 75 per cent? Did they all drop-out, die or could it be evidence of the alleged existence of ghost pupils in government-aided schools or un-conducive learning environment?

Statistics from the Uganda National Examination Board indicate that more than three million pupils who sat for Primary Leaving Examinations in 2006, never made it to A-Level last year. While in 2006, 435,063 candidates sat for Primary Leaving Examination, the number dropped by half to 260,080 candidates who sat for O-Level examination in 2010 and to 109, 974 candidates in 2012, indicating a whopping 75 per cent drop, much higher than the 40 per cent usually quoted.

So, what happened to the 75 per cent? Did they all drop-out, die or could it be evidence of the alleged existence of ghost pupils in government-aided schools or un-conducive learning environment?

A scientific research is needed to establish what happens to some of the enrolled students. Several surveys and investigations into the UPE and USE by various ministries and organsiations have in the past confirmed phantom registration in some schools.

But it is also true that many students drop out of school for reasons ranging from lack of food to cultural challenges, especially for the girls.

In East Africa, Uganda has the lowest proportion of children staying in school up to Primary Seven and the gap grows wider at secondary level. The high dropout rate can be attributed to the hidden cost of education even in public school to the parents. Under free primary and secondary education, parents still have to contribute towards school meals, scholastic materials and uniforms making it difficult for many children from poor families to complete the 13-year learning cycle.

Data from the Education ministry shows that dropouts are highest among girls than boys due to early pregnancies. This situation is also perpetuated by extreme poverty that makes parents marry off their teenage daughters in exchange for bride price. Enrolment at lower primary has been high but programmes to help retain the children at school are lacking. Stakeholders need to build a strong transition programme from primary to secondary level that could help ‘risk pupils’.

Several researches show us that the dropout rate is the result of student, family, and school-related factors that collectively drive students out of school. The most effective prevention programmes should address all three areas to retain students at school.