Contribution of Socio-economic Practices on School Dropout among Students in Public Secondary School in Monduli District, Tanzania

Nicomedi Raphael & Paul Raphael Kitula
St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Arusha
Email: nicoraphaelbei@gmail.com/ kitula07@gmail.com

Abstract: This study assessed the contribution of socio-economic practices on school dropout among students in public secondary schools. The study was grounded in the Social Reproduction Theory. The research objectives included to: investigate how socio-economic practices contribute to dropout among students and to explored strategies for mitigating the impact of socio-economic practices on students’ dropout in public secondary schools. The study employed convergent design under the mixed approach and it targeted, 16 heads of schools, 16 school board chairpersons, 15 ward education officers and 395 teachers. The study sample were 133 participants, including 5 heads of schools, 5 school board chairpersons, 5 ward education officers, and teachers. The study employed both probability and non-probability sampling procedures to sample the targeted population. The instruments were validated using research experts and reliability was determined through split half method whereby the reliability coeffient was 0.88. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and document analysis guide. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages and means were used to analyze quantitative data. The study revealed that domestic work reduces students’ time for academic engagement and disrupts concentration in class. Strategies such as enhancing parental involvement, strengthening policy frameworks, and increasing community sensitization are essential. In conclusion, socio-economic practices such as child labour, early marriages, pastoralist lifestyles, and poverty significantly contribute to high dropout rates. In recommendation, leaders should prioritize community sensitization campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of education, and the government should formulate and enforce policies that address the root causes of school dropout.