The Relationship Between Truancy, Academic Performance and School Dropout Among Students a Case Study of Olympic High School in Kibra, Nairobi County

Abstract

The study's specific goals were to assess the impact of truancy on students' academic performance at Nairobi County's Olympic High School in Kibra Sub-County. Determine the relationship between truancy, academic performance, and school dropout among students at Olympic High School in Kibra Sub County within Nairobi County and the effect of truancy on school completion among students at Olympic High School in Kibra Sub- County within Nairobi County. The researcher adopted correlational research design. The research was carried out at Olympic High School, a public day school in Kibera informal settlements, Kibra sub county, Nairobi County. Olympic Secondary School has 9 class teachers for both form two and form three, a guidance and counseling teacher, 259 students in form two, and 206 students in form three. This means that 475 people were included in the study's target population. Simple random sampling and judgmental sampling were utilized in the identification of participants. The research employed mixed methods approach to collect data. In order to gather primary data, the researcher used pre-structured questionnaires, while secondary data was gleaned from classroom teachers and the principal’s office by way of oral interview. Percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to describe the relationship of truancy on academic achievement and school dropout. Pearson Product-Moment correlation tested the relationship between truancy, academic performance, and school dropout. Truancy, according to the findings, has a negative impact on academic performance, it also found out that truancy positively affects school dropout. This conclusion is in line with that of Yahaya et al (2010) who found out that truancy is an obstacle to students’ performance and school completion as students who miss classes fall behind their colleagues and in turn drop out of school. Lastly, the findings depicted a positive relationship between truancy, academic performance, and school dropout. According to the data, there was a strong link between truancy and poor academic performance. The conclusion is supported by the study of Oluremi (2013) who carried out a study in South Western Nigeria on truancy and secondary school performance and concluded that truancy indeed contributes to dismal academic performances. In addition, parents should become more involved in their children's education, according to the study. This is due to research indicating that parental involvement is paramount in dealing with truancy among students. Strengthening of school policies must also be emphasized if school-related determinants are to be effectively addressed. This is due to the fact that each school has both a Ministry of Education and internal truancy policies.