Causes of School Dropout among Lower Primary School Pupils in Korogocho Slums, Kasarani Division, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Enrolment in primary schools has massively increased over the years. Unfortunately, this impressive enrolment has been noted to dramatically decrease by class two. Dropout rates are significant and critical during the first and second year of entering school. The study postulates that failure to mitigate school dropout could primarily be due to the causing factors not being addressed at its root cause at the early stage. The purpose of the study was to establish the influences of school dropout among lower primary school pupils' in Korogocho slums, Kasarani division, Nairobi County. The main objective of the study was to establish the causes of school dropout among lower primary school pupils. In addition, the study aimed to establish the influence of pupils demographic, parental, socio-cultural, school factors on school dropout. The study adopted Basic Needs theory by Abraham Maslow (1943) and Social Cultural theory by Lev Vygotsky (1986). Descriptive research design was used. The study location was in Korogocho slums in Kasarani division Nairobi County. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 360 respondents. Pilot study was done in two schools. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and FGDIKII. Data was ana lysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi Square (X2) was used to analyze inferential statistics and correlation coefficient significant was at 0.05. It was presented in tables, graphs, frequencies and pie-charts. Based on the study findings, it was deduce that gender greatly influenced school dropout whilst age did not influence school dropout. It was further confirmed that the two parental factors investigated did not Influence school dropout. The two socio-cultural variables investigated, social group influenced while religion did not influence school dropout. The study also found out that class population & teacher/pupil relationship did not influence school dropout. Other notable school factors investigated and influenced school dropout were; illness and lack of school fees. Conclusion based on the study highlighted that school dropout among lower primary school pupils is real and substantial.