HIGH DROPOUT CONTRIBUTES TO LOW LITERACY RATE IN PAKISTAN : COMPARISON OF DROP OUT AT H.S.S.C AND COLLEGE LEVEL IN PAKISTAN

Despite strong emphasis of the education policies of successive governments to make education in grades XI and XII a part of 4-year secondary education, it continues to be offered in two separate streams i-e; in higher secondary schools and in intermediate classes of colleges. The intention to bring the duration of secondary education in line with the international practice has not been completely realized. The socio-economic barriers seem to have stood in the way. The major aim of this study was to compare the functioning of F.Sc. (faculty of science at higher secondary school certificate) programmes of government colleges (intermediate level) and higher secondary schools. The study was descriptive in nature. This descriptive research study examined the class wise dropout trend in Government High secondary schools in Punjab. Data were collected through Survey and Questionnaires to collect data regarding enrolment, dropouts and dropout rate. In order to collect field data from the relevant institutions and personnel, a survey was undertaken. All the principals as well as lecturers and subject specialists of the government colleges and the government higher secondary schools, teaching science subjects in grades XI and XII in the Province of Punjab constituted the population of the study. For the purpose of selecting a representative sample, Two higher secondary schools and two colleges with intermediate classes were selected at random from each district. Two questionnaires were prepared, one for principals and the other for teachers for both types of institutions. Chi square was applied to find association between various responses. The perceptual analysis of the responses of the Questionnaires revealed that the factors are divided into three main categories: institutional problems and procedures; school based factors, home based factors and community factors. Poverty prevents parents from sending their children to school. The study recommended that: the Teachers’ training may be focused to enhance teacher’s competency to retain students in schools; Academic monitoring system may be introduced; Strategies may be adopted to reduce frequent absenteeism of students from school; the dropout rate in higher secondary schools should be minimized through ensuring quality education, motivation of parents and confidence building measures. The administration may take steps to increase the enrolments in science groups. In case of zero enrolment the concerned teacher may be transferred to other institution where F.Sc. programme is in progress.