The factors compelling children to drop out from schools can be divided in to four categories i.e; child issues, family issues, financial issues and other factors. Listed below are the causes for children dropping out of school.
Child Issues
Have a quick look at the child issues that compel children to drop out of the schools.
Lack of Interests in Studies
Although, parents enrol their children in school, there is lack of interest in studies which lead students to drop out of schools. Keeping children interested in studies is one of the important roles that school teachers, mentors and parents can play.
Relationship between Teachers and Students
Sometimes, teachers and children do not share good rapport, due to which teachers are unable to hold them back and as a result they drop out from school. For example, children are expelled from school for negligible reasons after which they never attend school. For example, if a child disrespects teachers, he or she is expelled from the school. Such situations can be handled more sensitively, instead of expelling children from school, they should be made understand the importance of good conduct. Also, there is no co-operation between teachers and students as well as amongst the students.
Bullying
Sometimes children may cope with bullying at school. Bullying at school may create a very bad impact on child’s mind due to which he or she may start making excuses to bunk school. The child may also start bunking the school without the knowledge of parents and eventually the child may drop out of the school. Sometimes parents may not be aware of what exactly is happening to the child. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of what child is going through and help the child cope with bullying at school.
Other Child Issue
• Involvement in crime, drug or alcohol abuse or both
• Exposure to sexual abuse or any other kind of abuse
• Certain learning disorders
• Peer pressure
• Emotional or physical problems
• Medical conditions
Family Issues
Here are some family issues due to which children may have to drop out from schools.
Transfer of Parents
Transfer of parents from one city to another may need change of school. Some children may not be able to cope with it. They may not be able to adjust in schools changing from time to time, which may lead them to drop out of the school.
Lack of Right Guidance
Due to the lack of right guidance on the importance of education, children tend to dropout from school. Such guidance is expected to come from parents, but in case of individuals coming from the weaker section of the society and who are themselves illiterate fail to guide the children the right way.
High Expectations
Sometimes parents or schools can have very high expectation from children. These kinds of expectations can create unnecessary burden on children. Such expectations can give rise to stress and pressure on them due to which they may not be able to perform well in exams and tests. They may go into depression and lose confidence thereby leading them to drop out of school.
Other Family Issues
• Child marriages and pregnancy
• Upbringing in the families were education is not considered important
• Death of one of the parents or both parents
• Divorce, separation or fights between parents
• Drug or alcohol abuse in parents
Financial Issues
Here are financial issues due to which children may have to drop out of the school.
Poverty
Parents are not able to fulfil the basics needs of children due to poverty. As they are unable to meet the basic needs itself, they are sceptical about spending on school supplies like school bags, books, travelling expenses etc. On the other hand children belonging to such families stop schooling and take up jobs in order to support their families.
Child Labour
Due to financial problems children have to start earning at a very young age leading them to become victims of child labour. Such children start working at an early age in order to support their families.
Failure to Pay School Fees
Children dropout of the schools as they are unable to pay the school fees on time. Children are enrolled in good schools but unfortunately parents cannot afford the school fees. Due to the failure to pay the school fees, children are expelled from school.
Other Factors
Here are some other reasons due to which children may not able to continue their schooling. Let us take a look at them.
Poor Access to the Education
Poor access to schools or unavailability of facilities to help children reach school, for example, facilities like transport is also one of the factors responsible for children dropping out from school. Listed below are some of the other factors that are responsible for increasing rates of dropouts across the globe.
• Safety issues
• Limited number of seats
• Inadequate facilities for girls at school
• Unavailability of female teaching staff
There are several factors that lead to the dropping out of children from school. Although, government is taking adequate measures for controlling the rate of dropouts, parents, teachers and society can play an important role in motivating children to continue schooling.