Personal, School and Family - main factors affecting female school dropout

Abstract

A dropout is considered a student who for any reason other than death leaves school without transferring to another school. Dropping out is a social problem and is also associated with delinquency and low school achievement. A preliminary survey regarding the factors affecting female student dropouts was carried out in District Kulgam. Majority of the respondents belonged to the moderate income group families and lived in joint families. The main factors which lead to dropping out were poor attendance, poor academic performance in class, low interest in studies. The personal factors were less family income, preference of education given to male siblings, early marriage, fear of getting punishment, poor academic performance in class, low interest in studies and busy with household chores. The school factors which lead to drop out were poor school accommodation , poor seating arrangement ,discrimination on the basis of sex , school far away , Corporal punishment , defective system of examination , no provision of mid day meals and uniforms and books .The family factors responsible in dropping out were not able to go school in time , looking after siblings , parents disinterest, , low educational status of parents , discord between parents, low economic status and most of the families thought boys should be provided better education and facilities as compared to girls.