Mitigating COVID 19 induced school drop out for the girl child: A Case of three schools in Ward 11 in Mhondoro Ngezi District

Author

Bhunu, Lilian

Title

Mitigating COVID 19 induced school drop out for the girl child: A Case of three schools in Ward 11 in Mhondoro Ngezi District

Abstract

This study’ s main purpose was to mitigate COVID 19 induced school dropouts for the girl child focusing on three schools in Mhondoro Ngezi District. The study was qualitative and quantitative in nature and the descriptive survey research design was used. This research design was preferred because it is the most appropriate design where self-reported beliefs and opinions of participants are sought out through the use of questionnaires, interviews and document analysis as research instruments. The population under study included all school dropouts’ girls and key informants in form of headmasters and teachers. A total of 30 questionnaires were distributed to girls and (twenty) 20 completed the questionnaire. Fifteen (15) teachers also completed the questionnaire and three headmasters were interviewed. Convenience and purposive sampling was used to select respondents. Descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis were used to analyze data. The findings revealed that the major causes of dropouts are early marriages, teenage pregnancy, poverty, poor academic performance and long distance to school. The study established that the solutions to COVID 19 related school dropouts for the girl child are Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), income generating projects by parents, community mobilization and support for pregnant girls, legislative measures and ensuring meaningful participation for adolescent girls. Therefore, the study recommends that schools should conduct counselling sessions with girls, educating them on the importance of education, the government should build more schools so that girls who walk for long distances to school can complete their secondary school. The parents should have income generating projects for them to be able to pay school fees for their children. There is need to eliminate cultural barriers that act as obstacle to girl children’s desire to stay in school. The teachers should ensure that there is meaningful participation for adolescent girls in school to reduce school dropout rate. It also recommends that the schools should link to funding organisations so that they assist in payment of school fees for all underprivileged girls.

Date

2022

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

COVID 19

Induced school drop out

Girl child

Mhondoro Ngezi District

Supervisor

Dr. Mandoga, E.