Factors influencing high dropout rates of girl child from education: a case study of black women in North West Province, South Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Factors influencing high dropout rates of girl child from education: a case study of black women in North West Province, South Africa
Authors:	Karabo, Mhele Natal, Ayiga
Year:	2013
Periodical:	Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080)
Volume:	28
Issue:	1
Pages:	111-138
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	dropouts schoolgirls statistics
Abstract:	Progress in education of the girl child in sub-Saharan Africa in general and South Africa in particular has been impeded by the high rates of school dropout. The objectives of the study were to assess the magnitude of school dropout and identify factors influencing this tendency in the North West province (SouthAfrica). The study used event history data on 582 women collected by use of the cross-sectional research design. It found that school dropout rates are significantly influenced by factors that include high rates of school pregnancies, low grades at a high age, low educational attainment of mothers and a young age at first sexual intercourse. The paper recommends greater emphasis of sexual abstinence through school based programmes, zero tolerance to sexual crimes involving minors by raising the age threshold for such crimes, reducing over-age enrolments and adoption of flexible schooling systems to accommodate pregnant and student mothers. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]