AN ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTING TO STUDENTS' DROPOUT IN SECONDARY SCHOOL OF GEDEO ZONE

The objective of this study was to assess the factors that contributes students’ to dropout in secondary schools of Gedeo Zone. In conducting the research, descriptive survey research method was employed and mixed design was used. Thus, the instruments of data collection were questionnaire, document analysis, and interviews to providing enough information to participant was how the study was done to attain the research objective. Descriptive survey design was used in the study. The participants were 10 secondary school principals purposefully selected, 150 teachers was selected by using simple random technique, 10 PTA and 10 dropouts were included in the study . Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential methods. Quantitative data collected from respondents were analyzed and interpreted by frequency, percentage, variance, standard deviation using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20) and an interview was manually summarized. Based on basic questions of the research the findings of the study shows the rate of dropout in Gedeo Zone secondary school was extremely increasing. Dropouts of grade 9 students were worse than grade 10 students. Female students more affected by dropout than male students. The major factors that influence students to dropout students’ lack of interesting in learning; absents, disciplinary problems were some major factor. The study recommended all stakeholders be involved in efforts to address the school based factors, students based factors and home based factors leading to dropout. Parents participate in school and working effectively for making conducive learning environment. Give emphasis to assign guidance and counseling service to solve economic, social, and psychological problems.