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SCHOOL-RELATED FACTORS INFLUENCING BOY CHILD DROPOUT IN RURAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A CASE OF NGABWE DISTRICT, ZAMBIA

Author(s) Mr. George Mulenga, Dr. Gondwe Colious
Country Zambia
Abstract AbstractDespite Zambia’s free education policy, boys’ dropout rates remain high in rural districts such as Ngabwe, undermining national retention targets and Sustainable Development Goal 4. While girls’ education has received substantial policy attention, school-level barriers contributing to boys’ dropout remain under-researched. This study described school-related factors contributing to dropout of boys in three selected secondary schools in Ngabwe District, Zambia. This study was Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory; the study adopted an interpretivist paradigm and qualitative case study design. Data were collected from 18 school- participants who are the headteachers and teachers across Mukubwe, Mumbachala, and Ngabwe secondary schools using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed thematically. Three school-level factors emerged as key drivers of dropout. First, inadequate infrastructure, including insufficient classrooms, desks, and sanitation facilities, created unconducive learning environments that demotivated learners. Second, long distances to school, exceeding 30 km for many boys, coupled with the absence of boarding facilities for boys, discouraged daily attendance. Third, shortages of qualified teachers, particularly male role models, and limited learning resources reduced boys’ engagement and the perceived value of schooling. School-level conditions significantly shape boys’ decisions to drop out in Ngabwe District. Improving rural school infrastructure, providing boarding facilities for boys, and deploying more qualified male teachers are critical priorities. The findings offer actionable guidance for the District Education Board Secretary and school managers seeking to enhance retention of boys in rural Zambia.
Keywords Boys’ dropout, school infrastructure, teacher shortage, distance to school, rural education, Ngabwe District, Zambia.
Published In Volume 7, Issue 7, July 2026
Published On 2026-07-14
DOI https://doi.org/10.70528/IJLRP.v7.i7.2299
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