Household variables associated with primary school dropouts in Tanzania

The aim of this research was to examine the household variables associated with primary school dropouts by identifying household variables that determine primary school dropouts, applying statistical models that describe variables that influence school dropout and determining the dropout rate between girls and boys. The research employed secondary data from the 2007 HBS. Households with children aged 6 to 15 were selected, then children with the highest grade level of school completion grades 1 to 7 were selected (from selected households). A total of 7,357 children were obtained. The ten variables which were significantly associated with the school dropout status in a test were used as independent variables in binary logistic analysis; the variables were age, marital status and occupation of household head, household location, zone, household size, income stratum of household as well as sex, age and orphanage status of a school-age child. The results showed the insignificance of marital status of household head on primary school dropouts status. Also the results showed that household location, zone, household size, income stratum of household, age and occupation of household head, age, sex and orphanage status of a child had an effect on primary school dropout status. The research also found that girls had a higher school dropout rate (13.6%) than boys (11.9%), girls were 1.16 times more likely to drop out of school than boys. The study recommends that, more variables e.g. school environment, management associated with primary school dropout should be examined, also Government and other education providers should emphasize on early age primary school enrolment of a child.