Economic Effects of Student Dropouts: A Comparative Study

Abstract

In global perspective, it is an incontestable fact that the progress of a nation is highly dependent on the education of their citizens. Education plays a central role and has a cross cutting impact on all aspects of human life. It is a vital investment for human and economic development. The main purpose of this study is to explore the causes of students drop outs and their impact on economy. This research find outs the reasons of dropouts in Pakistan and more importantly comparative analysis of the causes of students dropouts globally. The findings of this study are drawn from the extensive literature review of students’ dropout in different countries. Financial problems, parents’ unwillingness, distance and lack of basic facilities, bad quality of the education, inadequate school environment and building, overloaded class rooms, improper languages of teaching, carelessness of teachers and security problem in girls school are found as major causes of student dropouts in different countries. This study also find outs the effects of students dropouts on economy and suggest some remedial measures to reduce students’ dropouts. Study also has some policy implications for policy makers to combat this problem, such as free education program, curriculum adjustment, teachers training workshops, provision of all facilities in schools.