Examining Dropout Among Girl Students: Influence of Peer Group and Measures in Public Secondary Schools in Kondoa Town Council

Abstract

Peers play a vital role in influencing the behaviour and lifestyle of a particular student while at school. However, the influence of friends in ensuring girl student endeavour in education at school is oversimplified into a casual friendship rather than warranting their cooperation in learning until completion. As a result, many schools in Tanzania are experiencing high girl-child school dropouts. It is for this reason, this study sought to examine the influence of peer groups on girl-students dropping out of secondary school. The study also explored possible measures that can be employed to curb the dropout of female students in secondary school. In conducting this study, the study employed a mixed research approach and convergent parallel design. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires involving 143 respondents including female students, teachers, heads of schools, and district educational officers. The findings from this study indicate that while the government of Tanzania has made remarkable efforts to ensure girls’ continuity and successful completion of secondary education, there are a number of factors hindering girls’ continuity and completion of secondary education. Imitation of other students’ lifestyles at school as well as association with other peers who lack interest in schooling were among the reasons for continuous girl-child school dropout. Hence, based on my findings the significance of girl’s education as well as the role which parents should play in guiding and counselling girls to ensure girls achievement of education, Therefore, strategic efforts should be made in raising more awareness among rural and marginalized communities about the importance of educating girls and the role of guidance and counselling in bringing to an end the phenomena of girl-child school. Moreover, I call upon all parents, to make deliberate efforts in guiding and counselling girls to make a proper selection of friends and strive towards achieving formal education