The impact of Girl’s School Dropout on Social Development in Garowe District Puntland, Somalia.

 

                         Zara Dhamac

puntland pres.Deni and some school girls.

 

Abstract

 

Though a number of studies have addressed the issue of school dropout for both girls and boys, dropout pattern significantly differs by the gender of the students. This study presents the influence of girls’ school dropouts on social development in Garowe Puntland, Somalia. The study was guided by the following objectives; To assess the influence of girls’ school dropouts on social development in Garowe Puntland, to recommend the possible measures to reduce the girls school dropouts in Garowe Puntland. The study employed descriptive survey design by simply sampling the respondents’ randomly. Data was collected through questionnaires which were distributed by the researcher to a selected group of women from 4 villages in Garowe District, Puntland Somalia. The study found out that a significant number 60% of the women who dropped out from school at the primary and secondary level suffered social impact such as unemployment, early marriage, abuse, child and maternal mortality rate. In conclusion, the study recommends the following; the government should start some vocational training programs to take care of those women who drop out of school so that they may learn some skills to empower them get some income, the judicial system to make sure the rights of these women are protected by listening and finalizing their cases that arise from their abusive marriages through the judicial process. Hospitals should be built within the proximity of the villages to create awareness and help reduce child and maternal mortality rate.

 

Key: School dropout, social development, district

 

Introduction

 

Educational development of a child whether girl or boy is very important. When education of a child is solid, it is easy to build on it as the years roll by. The idea that a woman has no other purpose than to marry and have children has brought a lot of disadvantages and consequently backwardness to the society (R.I. Osarenren 2019). Girls’ education is a strategic development priority. Better educated woman tends to be healthier than uneducated women, participate more in the formal labor market, earn more income, give birth to fewer children, marry at a later age, and provide better health care and education to their children. All these factors combined can help lift households out of poverty. (Bank 2021).

The phenomenon   of dropping out of school has serious socioeconomic implications such as unemployment and its related social vices, increased dependency ratio and child marriages in rural places. (Abotsi 2018).  The girl-child education has implications not only for individuals and households, but also for nations and the world. By raising standards of living through higher earnings and lower population growth, educating girls would lead to reductions in poverty. Furthermore, since girls and women from lower socio-economic backgrounds are the most affected by low levels of educational attainment, educating girls would also contribute to boosting shared prosperity. (World, Bank 2018). 

According to (World Bank ,2001) women with education tend have improved nutritional values, proper hygiene and management of households which leads to improved health and education, reduced infant mortality rates, higher earnings, reduced fertility rate and improved quality of life for Nations.

            According to (Mohamed Dhaysane, 2021) the rate of girls’ drop out of school is at an alarming rate in Somalia. For instance, 51.9 % of girls enrolled in primary schools in 2021, only 9.7 % managed to proceed to secondary school despite, huge amount of resources invested on girls education by the Government of Somalia and other stakeholders. The drop out is even higher in secondary schools with the enrolment rate of just about 9.7 %. Thus, it is worth here to mention that Somalia is one of the countries in Africa where school enrolment for girls at primary school hardly reached 23% between 2005 and 2009 of the total admittance but the number seems to decrease further and now stands at below 12% as they transit from primary to secondary education (Somali Education Directory 2014).. Besides, there is an irony of the situation here. Literacy remains a major impediment in the development and wellbeing of women, according to UNESCO Report (UNESCO, 2007).

For the last 10 years, Puntland State has experienced high number of students who have dropped out of school especially girls. The Puntland education Statistics year book 2015/16 indicates that about 50 to 60% of the school dropout are Girls who drop either in their primary, secondary or college level of education (Dhaysane 2021) This has raised a lot of concern from various stakeholders such as; School administration, government agencies, communities through parent and Non-Governmental Organizations who fund their education. These dropouts are assumed to have an impact on the social development of the girls. The proposed study “The Impact of Girls School Dropout on Social Development in Garowe Puntland, Somalia” comes in at the right time to investigate some of the social development problems these girls are experiencing after dropping out of school.

Literature Review

(Kobani 2015) in their study “impact of girl-child education on community development found out a strong correlation between girl-child education and community development and the factors militating against girl-child education. They also allude that the girl-child’s education has a bearing on the economic well-being of a country. This study is in agreement with Ottaway who stated that, with education, in adulthood, the girl-child could easily gain employment in the formal labour force and therefore contribute not only to her family income but the National GNP. Higher education enables girls to provide financial support to their families. An educated woman with a good earning power can help reduce the financial problems of the family and thus avert frustration and other financial problems.

 Ottaway (2000), argues that, literacy of a woman increases productivity and self-employment in the informal sector. He gave an example of the educational level of rural woman who’s linked to increased productivity in agricultural sector in many developing countries. This argument is based on the fact that, literacy assists people to acquire skills and knowledge that help to facilitate better use of natural resources and other agricultural inputs and thereby increasing their productivity.

(Somani 2017) did a study on the importance of educating girls for the overall development of society: a global perspective? The focus of the study was “Girls Have a Right to the Education Too”. The study utilized qualitative research where primary data from 38 respondents was used. The study affirmed the importance and the vital impact of educating girls for the overall development of society.

According to the (World Bank Report, 2018) on Child Marriage and Early Childbearing, there is a strong mutual relationship between girl’s education and child marriage. The report agrees to the fact that, child marriage is the main factor that leads girls to drop out of school prematurely in many low-income countries. This action tends to impact the girls in decision making, employment opportunities, and early childbearing. The report recommends policies to keep girls in school to end child marriage and reducing teen pregnancies which affects the social development of the girls. Some studies argue that early marriage of girls is associated with dropouts in certain contexts. For instance, in societies where girls leave parental household after marriage, girls' dropout might be higher in that society (Ackers et al., 2001).

(Mahanta 2016) in a study that examined the education-fertility linkage in tribal society through a cross section study on the Misings, the second largest scheduled tribe of the state of Assam, India. The study applied multiple regression analysis and found out that the years of education of women have a positive relation with their fertility. This study concurs with the World Bank Report, (2018) which stated that, there is strong relationship between girl’s educational attainment, the risk of child marriage, and women’s total or lifetime fertility. Women who drop out of school prematurely are more likely to marry as children. Low educational attainment and child marriage may both lead women to have children earlier in life, and more children over their lifetime.

 

Objectives of the Study

 

1.     To assess the impact of girls’ school dropouts on social development in Garowe Puntland

2.     To recommend the possible measures to reduce the girls school dropouts in Garowe Puntland

Materials and Methods

Research Design

The study adopted a descriptive survey design and employed quantitative research methods to collect and analyze data. The study area is Garowe town the capital of Nugaal region which is the administrative capital of Puntland state in Northeastern Somalia. The population of interest included 100 females from the four main administrative districts of Garowe: namely, 1da August, Hatiwadaag, Hodan and Wadajir, who have dropped out of school for the last 10 years. From the four villages, a random sample of 80 females was selected using solven’s formula of sample size (20 from each village) which were selected using systematic sampling technique. Every 4th   female of those who dropped out of school were sampled for the study. Therefore, the females included in the study were selected using purposive sampling and all dropouts’ females were included in the sample. Consent was sought from the respondents. The instrument of data collection was structured questionnaire which was self-administered. Appropriate statistical analyses were used to analyze and present the major objectives of the study such as frequencies, percentages, averages, tables and graphs

Findings and Analysis

Response rate

Out of the 80 questionnaires administered, all were filled and returned. This represented 30 questionnaires from 1ougust village, 15 questionnaires from Hantiwadaag village, 15 questionnaires from Wadajir village and 20 questionnaires from Hodan village. This represents 95% response rate, which is considered very good according to Mugenda and Mugenda (1999).

 

Table 1: The Level of Dropping Out of School?
Respondents		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
	Primary	24	30.0	30.0	30.0
	Secondary	31	38.8	38.8	68.8
Valid	College	9	11.2	11.2	80.0
	University	16	20.0	20.0	100.0
	Total	80	100.0	100.0

 

The results in table1 indicates that majority of students (68.8 %) do not manage to go beyond secondary level of education. Only 31.2 % of the respondents managed to pursue their education beyond high school. In fact, this result is in agreement with the report given by Mohamed Dhaysane, (2021) where 51.9 % of the girls who enrolled in primary school only 9.7 % managed to proceed to secondary education. This poses policy challenges in terms ensuring the girl child remains in school to avoid issues of early marriage, childbearing, illiteracy and unemployment.

Unemployment as an impact of girls’ school dropout on social development

            This section answers the question of unemployment as an impact of girl’s school dropout on social development. The question was evaluated in a Likert scale of 5 where the respondents gave their opinion how school dropout caused the girls to lack employment opportunities.

 

Table 2: Girls’ School Dropout Leads to Unemployment
Respondents		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
	strongly agree	43	53.8	53.8	53.8
	Agree	24	30.0	30.0	83.8
	neither strongly agree nor disagree	2	2.5	2.5	86.3
	Disagree	7	8.8	8.8	95.0
	strongly disagree	4	5.0	5.0	100.0
	Total	80	100.0	100.0

 

The Results from Table2 indicates a significant static of 83.8 % of the respondents who are in agreement that they face challenges in accessing proper employment opportunities due to their dropping out of school at the basic or secondary school level. The results attest the studies done by Ottaway 2000 and Somani 2017 which alluded that, education of a girlchild overall increases her productivity and self-employment hence, community development.

Besides, child trafficking and child labor which are against International Labour Organization laws, people are nowadays employed on the basis of their qualifications. Those with higher academic qualifications, or otherwise, have higher chances of getting decent employment with better enumeration because people are paid according to their marginal productivity which measured by education level, experience skills and age of an employee.

Figure 1: Girl’s school dropout leads to unemployment

 

Early marriage as impact of girl’s school dropout

This section interrogated the relation between early marriage and girl’s school dropout on social development. The evaluation was done on a Likert scale of 5 where 5point represented strongly agree and 1point represented strongly disagree.

 

 

Table 3: Girls’ School Dropout Led to early marriage
Respondents		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
	strongly agree	47	58.8	58.8	58.8
	Agree	21	26.3	26.3	85.0
	neither strongly agree nor disagree	5	6.3	6.3	91.3
	Disagree	6	7.5	7.5	98.8
	strongly disagree	1	1.3	1.3	100.0
	Total	80	100.0	100.0

 

From Table3 85.1% of the respondents agreed to the statement that, their early marriages were as a result of them dropping out of school at the basic level of education. The results concurred with the World Bank Report, 2018 which recognized child marriage as the main factor that led to girls’ dropping out school prematurely in low-income countries. This action impacts the girlchild in decision making in their families, employment opportunities, and early childbearing hence, an impediment in their social development.

 

Figure 2: Girls school dropout leads to Early marriage

School Dropout Resulting to High Number of Children

This section answers the question of high fertility rate due to girl’s school dropout. The question was evaluated in a Likert scale of 5.

 

Table 4: School Dropout Resulting to High Number of Children
Respondents		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
	strongly agree	15	18.8	18.8	18.8
	Agree	31	38.8	38.8	57.5
	neither strongly agree nor disagree	17	21.3	21.3	78.8
	Disagree	14	17.5	17.5	96.3
	strongly disagree	3	3.8	3.8	100.0
	Total	80	100.0	100.0

 

Table4 depicts a 57.6 % of the respondents who were in agreement that, their dropping out of school, resulted to them getting married early and even bearing many children. Some studies report a curvilinear relationship between fertility and education: high fertility among women with no education, even higher among those with some primary education, and lowest among those with secondary education (Cochrane, 1979;). But most studies conclude that fertility declines significantly as education increases. How adolescent fertility fits the contours of this generalization is less clear.

 

 

Measures to curb the problem of girls Dropout

This section was meant to answer the second objective of the study, which was to recommend the appropriate measures to curb the problem of girls’ school dropout in Garowe Puntland, Somalia.

 

Table 5: The Government Programs on the Importance of Girls’ Education.

 

Respondents		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
	strongly agree	32	40.0	40.0	40.0
	Agree	36	45.0	45.0	85.0
Valid	neither strongly agree nor disagree	3	3.8	3.8	88.8
	Disagree	7	8.8	8.8	97.5
	strongly disagree	2	2.5	2.5	100.0
	Total	80	100.0	100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Tables5 indicates 85% of the respondents who were of the opinion that the government programs to enlighten parents on the importance of girls ‘education is of necessity. In fact, some of the respondents suggested that, Parliament should consider to in act the legal frame work that guides the Ministry of Education on affirmative action to ensure more girls are enrolled in learning institutions. They further, agreed to creation more girls’ schools, provision of sanitary towels and other girlchild basic needs including security in order to retain girls in school

Table 6: Parental guidance

 

parental guidance
Response		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
	strongly agree	41	51.3	51.3	51.3
	Agree	24	30.0	30.0	81.3
Valid	neither strongly agree nor disagree	8	10.0	10.0	91.3
	Disagree	7	8.8	8.8	100.0
	Total	80	100.0	100.0

 

A significant respondent 81.3% agreed to the need for parental guidance. The respondents acknowledged the importance of parental guidance as a tool to retain girlchild in school. This is because parental guidance gives parents an opportunity to develop, guide, nature and instill discipline which are vital the child’s social development. Schools, Parents and guardians to invite various role models to inspire the girlchild.

Figure 5: Parental guidance

 

Conclusion and Recommendation

 

The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of girls’ school dropout on social development in Garowe,and recommend possible measures to curb girls’ school dropout. The study found out a strong relationship between the girls’ school dropout and the girls’ social development. There variables taken into consideration such as employment opportunities, early marriages, high fertility rate, and child mortality and maternal mortality were found to have high correlation with the girls’ school dropout. The study concluded with some recommendations such as:

1.     Government to start programs that enlightens parents on the importance of girls ‘education. This can be done at the school and community level to create awareness.

2.     Parliament to in act laws that guides the Ministry of Education on affirmative action to ensure more girls are enrolled in learning institutions.

3.     Creation of more girls’ schools, provision of sanitary towels and other girlchild basic needs including security in order to retain girls in schools.

4.     Parental guidance and role models to play a vital role in retaining girls in schools. This is because parental guidance gives parents an opportunity to develop, guide, nature and instill discipline which are vital the child’s social development.

5.     Parents and guardians to invite various role models to inspire the girlchild.

 

References

Abotsi, A.K. 2018. "Dropouts Issues and its Economic Implication : Evidance from Rural Communities in Ghana." Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research 1.

Bank, World. 2001. Attacking Poverty: Opportunity Empowerment, and Security. World Development Report, World Bank.

Bank, World. 2018. Missed opportunities: The high cost of not educating girls. World Development Report, World Bank Group, 11.

Bank, World. 2021. The World Bank In Girls' Education. Understanding Poverty, The World bank group.

Dhaysane, Mohamed. 2021. "Poerty, early marriage, lack of friendly atmosphere forces parents to withdraw girls from secondary schools." Girls drop out of school at an alarming rate in Somalia., June 25: 1.

Kobani, Doreen. 2015. "The Impact of Girl-child Education on Community Development: A Study of Ika Local Government Area of Akwaibom State." IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME) 79.

Mahanta, Amarjyoti. 2016. "Impact of Education on Fertility: Evidence from a Tribal Society in Assam, India." International Journal of Population Research 1.

R.I. Osarenren, O.S. Imhangbe, Q.O.Irabor. 2019. "Relationship between social challenges and the education of the girl child as perceived by female academics in the tertiary institutions of Edo State Nigeria." Academic Journals 1.

Somani, Tabreek. 2017. "Importance of Educating Girls for the Overall Development of Society: A Global Perspective." Journal of Educational Research and practice 125.