Tackling Girls Dropping Out of School in Malawi: Is Improving Household Socio-economic Status the Solution?

Conference: The European Conference on Education (ECE2021)
Title: Tackling Girls Dropping Out of School in Malawi: Is Improving Household Socio-economic Status the Solution?
Stream: International Education
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
Authors:
Lana Chikhungu, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Esme Kadzamira, University of Malawi, Malawi
Lizzie Chiwaula, University of Malawi, Malawi
Elizabeth Meke, University of Malawi, Malawi

Abstract:

Malawi has one of the highest school dropout rate in Southern Africa with 15% of girls and 12% of boys, dropping out before finishing their primary school. To tackle the problem of girls dropping out of school and reduce child marriage, the Malawi Government and donor community have engaged in various activities including provision of bursaries finance to support primary and secondary school girls. It is not known however, to what extent the provision of bursaries and other school expenses can reduce girls dropping out of school and in so doing tackle child marriage in Malawi.

We reviewed literature, analysed the Malawi Education Management Information (EMIS) and other sources and carried out focus group discussions in selected primary schools in four rural districts to explore the impact of school bursaries and socio-economic status on girls dropping out of school. The quantitative data was analysed through the production of charts, graphs and calculation of percentages and the qualitative data was analysed using thematic coding. Lack of money to pay for school fees was a major reason for the high girl school dropouts. School bursaries appeared to help keep more girls in school and girls from households with better socio-economic status were less likely to drop out of school. Promotion of programmes that enhance household socio-economic status in rural areas should enable households to be financially capable of schooling their children. Bursaries should be offered to all needy girls in secondary schools.

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