Issues in socioeconomic status and dropout rates in secondary school at singida municipality, Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to examine issues in the socioeconomic status of the students’ families and their influence on the dropout rates in Singida Municipality secondary schools. The study was guided by value theory which explains the basic mechanisms generating Inequality of Educational Opportunity (IEO) in different systems of values among the various social classes. Data collection methods included interview, documentary review, and observation. The study employed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, while quantitative data were presented in table of frequencies and percentages.Literature review on secondary school dropouts done in Tanzania and worldwide show that less had been studied to understand the qualitative stories of them. Therefore, this study was intended to capture issues on socioeconomic status and their influence on secondary schools dropout rates. The findings from the study revealed that, the socioeconomic status big effects on secondary schools dropout rates. It is recommended that, in order to minimize dropout rates government should make sure all students are identified their problems which can lead them into dropping out of schools. Also there should be established the public awareness campaign to educate the whole community about the importance of education for both individual as well as the community in general. Finally the study recommends for further research to be conducted so that the problem and issues related to dropout in secondary schools can be understood by all educational stakeholders at all levels.