Determinants Of Reasons For School Drop-Outs In Urban Areas Of Belagavi

Abstract

Background: The school drop-out phenomenon has been a significant academic problem globally and it is extremely difficult to identify the causes of drop out. Objectives: To elicit reasons of school drop-out in age group between 6-14 years from students and teachers. Material and Methods: Total 200 children were selected and the data collection was carried out in all the government urban schools of Belagavi district. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on socio demographic variables and to evaluate the reasons for school dropout. Results: A total of 200 study participants were enrolled. The highest dropout rate was observed in children aged 13 years (22.5%). Around 48% children belonged to socio-economic status class II. The highest dropout was observed in Grade IV students (21%). The main reasons of drop-out were poverty (31%), parent’s negligence (15.5%), lack of interest in going to school (12.5%), and prolonged illness (8.5%). Conclusion: The highest drop-out rate was observed among students of 13 years of age and the main reasons were poverty, lack of interest in going to school, parent’s negligence and prolonged illness. There is a need to motivate the community regarding the importance of education.