UNDERSTANDING THE PHENOMENON OF FEMALE STUDENTS’ DROPPING OUT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL: A CASE STUDY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN RAHIM YAR KHAN PAKISTAN

Abstract

In Pakistan, the phenomenon of dropout is observed at all educational levels, spread in all areas of the country. The rate of dropout however is the highest for secondary education (grade 9 & 10) in both urban and rural areas. At this level, girls have a higher probability of dropping out before completing matriculation than their male counterparts. This research aims to explore the reasons behind their dropping out of secondary school in the city of Rahim Yar Khan from the perspectives of teachers, parents, and the dropouts themselves. Data was collected and analyzed on the reasons of dropouts form 10 (5 rural & 5 urban) from the government secondary schools in Rahim Yar Khan, a small town in Southern Punjab.