Table 1.3: School Dropout by Class Level and Reasons in Longido District: 2012 Reasons for Dropout Form I Form II Form III Form IV Total Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Absenteeism (more than 90 days) 0 0 15 06 12 04 08 02 47 Death 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lack of Basic needs 0 02 0 0 0 0 0 0 02 Sickness 0 01 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 Pregnancy 0 03 0 01 0 02 0 0 06 Truancy 0 0 09 01 13 1 17 0 41 Total 00 06 24 04 25 07 25 02 97 Source: Compiled from Longido District Council Education Office, (2013) The data in Table 1.3 show students’ drop out by class level and sex in government and non-government secondary schools in Longido District in 2012. The data shows that a total number of students’ who dropped out in the year 2012 was 97. In the District the leading classes in terms of dropout were forms two and three. In form two, 24 boys and 8 girls dropped out. In form three 25 boys and 7 girls dropped out. Out of the total number of all students’ who dropped out in forms three and two, absenteeism and truancy have been noted to be the major outstanding factors leading students’ dropout. Out of 64 students in forms two and three who dropped out, 61 students’ dropped out because of truancy and absenteeism. On the other hand, boys’ dropout cases were higher in almost all classes except form one in the year, 2012. Out of all 97 students who dropped out, more than 74 were boys and the leading factors for boys’ dropout were truancy and absenteeism. For the girls
3.9 Validity and Reliability of Research Instruments To test validity of methods for data collection, pre-testing of the questionnaire was to be done before actual collection to determine clarity and their relevancy to the objective of the study. Pre-testing was done purposely to control quality of the questionnaire and the information obtained through them. The revised version of the questionnaire and interviews were structured on both English and Kiswahili languages were used in order to bring easy understanding of administered questions to respondents one at a time. Also the use of both English and Kiswahili in conducting interview was to help in increasing respondent’s confidence and freedom as there was no fear of each other. The questionnaires for pre-testing were administered to eight respondents drawn from the schools that were in survey prior to the commencement of the study. The questionnaires were modified to incorporate lessons drawn from pre-testing. 3.10 Ethical Issues “All social research involves consent, access and associated ethical issues, since is based on data from people about people” (Marais, 2007) cited from (Punch, 2002). The proposed study was to make sure the informed consent is found from participants. They can want full information about the research and the reasons to why they have been selected to participate. Participants, privacy, and confidentiality were guaranteed also consent forms and covering letters were provided to them. Nevertheless, school being used for the case study had to give permission for access of official material and documents useful for the study. The schools were assured that findings were to be
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