Factors of Dropout in Government Primary Schools of Sindh: A Qualitative Study of District Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of study was to analyze factors leading to students' dropout, and to identify administrative measures in addressing those factors. The study has covered four towns of District Larkana. The qualitative approach was used and within it case study research design was employed. The sample of the study was the 4 taluka education officers (male/female), 2 district officer (male/ female), 4 students, parents and community of district Larkana. Moreover, purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of participants. The data was analysed through thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that poverty, illiteracy, political interventions, tribal conflicts, child labour, lack of facilities, informal institutional arrangements, impractical administration are the main factors leading to student dropout, and there is no any mechanism at district administrative level to address factors leading to student dropout. Current study recommends that collaborative action plan and mechanism at district administrative level may be developed which may focus on School coordination with all stakeholders concerned to introduce poverty alleviation program, and, above all, mechanism to diffuse threat of undue political intervention so as to address the factors, and ensure the sustainable transparent system at primary schools in Larkana, Sindh.