In or Out: Examining the Drivers of School Dropout among Basic School Pupils in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

The study examined school dropout among pupils in the Wa Municipality, Ghana. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design to ascertain the pattern and the factors accounting for school dropout among pupils at the basic level. The study population consisted of all pupils in the basic schools within the municipality. Using a quantitative approach, 121 pupils were selected for the study using multi process sampling procedure. Questionnaires were used to generate the information from the pupils. Descriptive statistics (simple percentages and frequency tables) and logistics regression model was employed to determine the factors accounting for school dropout using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as the data analytical tool. The study discovered that the factors responsible for pupils’ school dropout were multi-facets to include environmental and non-environmental schools factors. The study also revealed that school dropout was very prevalent among girls, over aged pupils, pupils with single parent and pupils whose parents or caregivers are farmers or traders. The study recommends a comprehensive and integrated educational policy including parliamentary enactments for the education sector so as to improve and sustain enrolment and retention.