THE MENACE of DROPOUT in the EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Dropout is an issue in the educational system of many countries in the world today. It is a situation where a child that enrolls in school withdraws prematurely without completing his / her education. Dropout can be traced to several factors including the socio-economic, cultural, school, home and government. There is no gainsaying that parents occupy significant position in the education of their child (ren). They are supposed to pay the school fees, buy uniform and other study materials to enable the child leave comfortably in school. Where parents are financially impoverished to the extent that the school fees cannot be paid and other needs cannot be provided for the child (ren), this can make the child (ren) to dropout from school.

The role of school system in the spread of dropout cannot be underestimated. Teachers are supposed to act 'in loco parentis' to pupils and students apart from the normal teaching. When a teacher decides to engage in immoral relationship with female pupil / student in the school, this can lead to premature pregnancy and eventual withdrawal from school to avoid shame. Observations also reveal that some teachers do intimidate or punish those female pupils / students that refuse to accept their love advance thus making such female pupils / students to dropout out of frustration.

There is no doubt that school environment must be conducive for pupils / students i.e. with adequate classrooms, chairs, tables and other necessaries. When the environment of a school is not conducive for learning, this can lead to dropout of pupils / students from such school. There are reports that in some countries today, pupils / students still receive lesson under trees, on window tops, in classrooms with uncemented floor, leaking roof and without door and window. It is thus not surprising that such countries are having high dropout rates today.

High handedness of pupils / students in school further encourages dropout. There is no doubt that discipline must be maintained in a school so that the moral inclination of the pupils / students can develop positively. When discipline is excessive or negative, this can lead to dropout. In some schools today, it is a norm for pupil / student to be subjected to excessive flogging and other punishments like uprooting of trees, moulding of blocks, which have been encouraging dropout.

The impact of the value system in the society on dropout cannot be dismissed with a waive of hand. In some countries today, the rich people are celebrated and worshipped notwithstanding the source (s) of their wealth. Education is relegated to the background in those countries thus making the youths to consider Education as a waste of time and efforts.

Unemployment is another issue behind dropout. In many countries of the world today, it is easier for Carmel to pass through the eye of needle than for graduate of educational institution securing employment after their training. Many graduates are thus roaming about the streets in search of jobs. Such situation is encouraging many pupils / students to dropout of school for fear that at the end, they might find it difficult to get job.

The economic situation in a country further encourages dropout. There is no doubt that there is harsh economic situation in many countries in the world today. Many parents are living below standard and cannot sustain their families with their income. Situation like this makes it difficult for parents to pay the fees and afford the other necessaries for their children.

Poor academic performance of pupil / student in the school also encourages dropout. There is no doubt that one of the motives of enrolling a child in school is to be adequately equipped with knowledge and skills, which can be demonstrated through good academic performance. When a pupil / student is academically weak to the extent that he / she has to repeat a class, this can lead to frustration and eventual withdrawal from school.

High cost of education is another factor to contend with. There is no gainsaying that in many countries of the world today, government is the major financier of Education. Due to the burden of this on government, fees are now imposed on pupils / students, which in most cases are very difficult to be paid by children from poor background.

Cultural factor in some countries also promotes dropout. In some African countries today, education of female children is considered as taboo. There is the believe that women role end at home, particularly in the kitchen. In Nigeria as a typical example, it is a norm for female children to be given out for marriage at tender age (i.e. before 14 years) due to the associated 'bride price'.

The consequences of dropout in the society cannot be overemphasized, It is a waste of parents and government' resources on the education of such child (ren). Many dropout children usually enlist in social vices like armed robbery, stealing, thuggery, pickpocketting and prostitution, which are issues of concern in many countries today. Dropout youths feel inferior, they are emotionally frustrated, bored, angry and restless in the society. Above all, the issue of dropout is undermining the achievement of Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) where it is prevalent.