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CAUSES OF TRUANCY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Truancy, or the habitual act of being absent from school without permission, is a major issue affecting the overall success of the school in which I am employed. Truancy may be identified differently between districts, states, or governments; however, consecutive unexcused absences from school is the most common and acceptable definition.

Unexcused school absenteeism, truancy, is not a new problem, but a historically present problem that has over the last decade received newfound attention as the lack of school attendance and its link with student delinquency has become more clearly identified. In 1993, “more than two-thirds of all school absences [nationwide] were non-illness-related” with absence rates reaching thirty percent each day in some communities (Doug, 1993).

In 2002, more than 70,000 students every day were out of school in Colorado alone (Ramona et al., 2002). These statistics have monumental social ramifications because truancy is often one of the first and best indicators of academic failure, suspension, expulsion, delinquency, and later adult crime (Janna Heilbrunn & Ken Seeley, 2003). 

It is however important to carry out a study on the solution focused intervention for reducing truancy among adolescent in secondary schools.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Henry (2007) indicates that truancy’s consequences are extensive, resulting in negative implications for multiple levels of society. In the short-term, truancy can predict maladjustment, poor academic performance, school dropout, substance abuse, delinquency, and teenage pregnancy. Truancy often has immediate consequences for students in terms of reduced academic achievement because students have more limited opportunities for learning when they are absent from class.

When truancy leads to school failure or to dropping out of school, youth are also likely to experience higher rates of unintended pregnancies, more criminal behavior, greater instability in career paths, higher rates of unemployment, and lower lifetime earnings. The average school dropout costs society more than $200,000 in excess criminal justice, social service, and healthcare costs over the course of a lifetime.

Truancy also has immediate and long‐term consequences for communities in terms of public safety. Truant youth have been found to be involved in criminal acts such as burglary, auto theft and vandalism. Communities with high rates of truancy are likely to have correspondingly high rates of daytime criminal activity.

In the long term, the poorer educational and occupational attainment of formerly truant students is likely to increase their risk for adult criminality and incarceration

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY     

The main objective of this study is to determine factors that influence truancy in selected secondary schools. The outlines of the objective are:

1.     To find out the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools.

2.     To examine the factors responsible for truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools.

3.     To ascertain if provision of a conducive school environment will reduce the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools.

4.     To determine if introduction of social activities in schools will reduce the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools.

5.     To examine the roles of parents in reducing the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The specific research questions related to this study are:

1.     What is the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools?

2.     What are the factors responsible for truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools?

3.     Will provision of a conducive school environment reduce the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools?

4.     Will introduction of social activities in schools reduce the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools?

5.     What are the roles of parents in reducing the level of truancy among adolescent in selected secondary schools?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 

This study is important to students, teachers, parents, guardians and school management. The findings from this study educate students on the consequences of truancy and how it influences their academic achievements. This study educates students that truancy is a major act that contributes to juvenile delinquencies, poor academic performances and adult crimes.

To parents and guardians, this study addresses the roles of parents in reducing the level truancy among adolescents in secondary school. Parents are expected to take care of their wards and monitor their academic progress in school.

To teachers and school management, this study elucidates the measure to be taken by teacher to ensure that the rate of truancy among secondary school students is brought to the minimal level.

The finding from this research can also be used as a reference material for other researchers who will likely carry out a study on a related topic

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is restricted to the investigation the factors that influence truancy in selected secondary schools.

1.7     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Some of the major constraints the researchers encountered in putting up this research include lack of time, lack of willingness to give information by respondent and also limited resources.

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS     

Truancy is any intentional, unjustified, unauthorized, or illegal absence from compulsory education. It is absence caused by students of their own free will, and usually does not refer to legitimate excused absences, such as ones related to medical conditions.

Adolescence: the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.

Crime: is an action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law.

Vandalism: action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.

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