In Zombo District, education officials are deeply troubled by the alarming rate of girl child dropout, particularly prevalent in regions bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sub-counties such as Akaa, Abanga, Zeu, Kango, Paidah TC, and Jangokoro are grappling with this concerning trend, where dropout rates have reached alarming levels.
According to district data, the statistics paint a grim picture: out of every 100 girls who embark on their primary education journey in primary one, only 27 manage to complete primary seven, leaving a staggering 73 girls to prematurely abandon their educational pursuits.
Nicholas Odeba, the Zombo District Education Officer, sheds light on the dire situation unfolding at Asina Primary School in Abanga sub-county. Here, the stark reality is exemplified by the fact that merely three girls participated in the Primary Leaving Examinations last year, a stark testament to the pervasive dropout phenomenon.
Odeba identifies several factors contributing to the high dropout rate among girls, including early pregnancies and pervasive poverty. Additionally, he underscores the detrimental impact of unregulated social amenities, such as markets and discos across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo, exacerbating the problem.
Valentine Owile, the headteacher of Awasi Primary School, underscores the crucial role of parental involvement in combating dropout rates. Owile emphasizes the importance of parental guidance in instilling the value of education in children and nurturing their aspirations for a brighter future.
In the context of the previous year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Zombo District recorded a glaring disparity, with only 821 female candidates out of a total of 2,193 candidates. This stark contrast underscores the urgency of addressing the gender gap in education and bolstering efforts to support girls’ retention in schools.
Despite concerted efforts spearheaded by the Alur Kingdom in collaboration with various NGOs, the battle against girl child dropout persists. While commendable initiatives have been launched, the desired outcomes of enhancing girls’ retention in primary schools have yet to be fully realized.
