Teenage pregnancy and primary school dropout

Abstract

The study on the relationship between teenage pregnancy and school dropout was carried out in Amudat District in Karamoja Sub region. The research was guided by three objectives which included; establishing whether lack of psychosocial support contribute to high dropout rate of pregnant girls from primary schools, finding out whether lack of appropriate school facilities contribute to dropout of pregnant girls in primary schools and whether peer relations force pregnant girls to drop out in primary schools. The study sample included 4 pregnant girls who were still in school, 4 pregnant girls who had dropped out of school, 2 teachers who teach pregnant girls, 15 pupils who study with pregnant girls and 4 parents/caretakers of the pregnant girls. The researcher used interviews and Focus Group Discussion Guides to collect data from the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that the major cause of dropout among pregnant girls in primary schools was school facilities. Many schools have no designated rest areas for pregnant girls, toilets and bathrooms are not conducive and the schools themselves are located long distances from pregnant girls’ homes which poses challenges for them to travel to and fro school on a daily basis. Peer influence and psychosocial support were found to have limited relationship with dropout of pregnant girls. The researcher therefore recommended that the ministry of education and sports should instruct schools to create designated rest areas where pregnant students can take breaks as needed, school heads should ensure that bathroom facilities are adequately equipped to meet the needs of pregnant girls and parents and caretakers of pregnant girls should encourage their daughters to remain in school and finish their studies by giving them all the support they need to remain in school such as psychosocial, economic and moral support