1.1 Introduction
School dropout is defined as the premature withdrawal of students from the educational system before completing the required level of schooling or obtaining a certificate of completion (UNESCO, 2023). It represents a critical educational and social issue that limits individual development and reduces the overall human capital needed for national growth. In the context of Senior Secondary School education, dropout refers to students who discontinue their studies before completing Senior Secondary School 3, thereby failing to obtain the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or its equivalent. Education at the senior secondary level is a vital stage in a learner's academic journey, as it prepares students for higher education, vocational training, and meaningful participation in society (World Bank, 2022).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
School dropout has continued to be a major educational challenge across many countries, particularly in developing nations where socio-economic inequalities and institutional weaknesses significantly affect access to quality education. According to UNESCO (2023), school dropout refers to the situation where learners discontinue their education before completing the required level of schooling, thereby failing to attain minimum academic certification. In Nigeria, school dropout among Senior Secondary School students has become a growing concern for educators and policymakers. According to Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria (2021) stated that a significant proportion of students enrolled in secondary schools do not complete their education due to financial hardship, early involvement in income-generating activities, and inadequate school support systems.
According to UNICEF (2022), poverty remains one of the strongest predictors of school dropout among adolescents. The organization explained that when families are unable to meet basic educational expenses such as school fees, uniforms, transportation, and learning materials, students are often forced to withdraw from school. In many cases, children from economically disadvantaged households are required to contribute to family income, thereby reducing their chances of completing secondary education (UNICEF, 2022). Ajayi and Ojo (2020) contended that school-related factors such as overcrowded classrooms, inadequate teaching facilities, and poor teacher-student relationships significantly influence students' decision to remain in school or drop out. The authors emphasized that when students are exposed to poor learning environments, their motivation declines, and academic performance is negatively affected, which may eventually lead to withdrawal from school.
UNESCO (2023) reported that peer influence and adolescent behavior also play a crucial role in school retention. The report highlighted that students are highly influenced by their peer groups during adolescence, and association with deviant peers often leads to truancy, indiscipline, and eventual dropout. On the other hand, positive peer influence and supportive school communities enhance students' engagement and academic commitment. Okeke and Nwosu (2019) asserted that family structure and parental involvement significantly affect students' educational outcomes. The authors explained that students from broken homes or those with limited parental supervision are more likely to experience emotional instability, lack of academic guidance, and reduced motivation toward schooling.
According to World Bank (2022), academic failure and poor performance are also major contributing factors to school dropout. Students who repeatedly fail examinations often develop low self-esteem and lose interest in continuing their education. UNESCO (2023) affirmed that inadequate school infrastructure and limited access to learning resources also contribute significantly to dropout rates. In many developing regions, schools lack sufficient classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and instructional materials, which negatively affects the quality of teaching and learning.
Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria (2021) reported that early exposure to social vices such as drug abuse, cultism, and delinquent behavior has become an emerging factor influencing school dropout among senior secondary school students. The ministry noted that students involved in such behaviors often exhibit poor attendance, declining academic performance, and eventual disengagement from school activities. This study is set against the backdrop of factors that influence school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that many families struggle to meet basic educational costs such as tuition, uniforms, transportation, and learning materials. As a result, students from low-income households are more likely to withdraw from school prematurely in order to support their families economically. In addition, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate learning facilities, and insufficient instructional materials contribute to poor academic performance and declining motivation among students. When learning conditions are unfavorable, students often lose interest in education and gradually disengage from school activities (World Bank, 2022).
Furthermore, peer pressure and social influence also play a significant role in shaping students' educational decisions. Adolescents are highly susceptible to peer behaviors, and involvement in negative peer groups may lead to truancy, indiscipline, and eventual dropout. In addition, early exposure to social vices such as drug abuse and delinquency further increases the likelihood of school withdrawal. In many cases, students also experience academic difficulties that lead to repeated failure and frustration. When learners consistently perform poorly, they may develop a negative perception of their academic abilities and eventually decide to leave school.
It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate the factors that influence school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to investigate the factors influencing school dropout among Senior Secondary School students in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to:
- Examine the effect of economic factors on school dropout among Senior Secondary School students
- Assess the influence of school environment on students' decision to drop out of school
- Determine the impact of parental involvement on students' school retention
- Evaluate the effect of peer pressure on school dropout among Senior Secondary School students
- Investigate the relationship between academic performance and school dropout
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the effect of economic factors on school dropout among Senior Secondary School students?
- How does school environment influence students' decision to drop out of school?
- What is the impact of parental involvement on school retention among Senior Secondary School students?
- In what way does peer pressure affect school dropout among Senior Secondary School students?
- What is the relationship between academic performance and school dropout?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Economic factors do not significantly influence school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
- H1: Economic factors significantly influence school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: School environment does not significantly affect school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
- H1: School environment significantly affects school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: Parental involvement does not significantly influence school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
- H1: Parental involvement significantly influences school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
Hypothesis Four
- H0: Peer pressure does not significantly influence school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
- H1: Peer pressure significantly influences school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
Hypothesis Five
- H0: Academic performance does not significantly affect school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
- H1: Academic performance significantly affects school dropout among Senior Secondary School students.
1.7 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the outcome will help policymakers in the Lagos State Ministry of Education improve retention strategies for Senior Secondary School students through evidence-based planning. Also, the study will assist school administrators in identifying key school-related factors responsible for student dropout and improving learning conditions.
Furthermore, the findings will support teachers in understanding how academic performance and classroom practices influence student retention. In addition, the research will guide parents in improving involvement in their children's education to reduce dropout tendencies.
Lastly, the outcome will contribute to academic research in Lagos State educational institutions by providing updated empirical data on dropout patterns.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the factors that influence school dropout among senior secondary school students.
The study is restricted to selected public Senior Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria, and concentrates on students in SS1 to SS3. It does not cover private schools or other states in Nigeria due to geographical and institutional constraints.
1.9 Definition of Terms
School Dropout:
School dropout refers to the premature withdrawal of students from school before completing the final level of education. According to UNESCO (2023), it is the discontinuation of formal education before achieving certification.
Senior Secondary School Students:
These are students in the final three years of secondary education (SS1 to SS3) preparing for external examinations such as WASSCE in Nigeria.
Economic Factors:
Economic factors refer to financial conditions such as poverty, income level, and inability to afford school expenses that affect students' access to education (World Bank, 2022).
School Environment:
School environment refers to the physical and social conditions within the school, including classrooms, facilities, teacher-student relationships, and learning atmosphere (Ajayi & Ojo, 2020).
Parental Involvement:
Parental involvement refers to the level of support, supervision, and encouragement parents provide toward their children's education (UNICEF, 2022).
Peer Pressure:
Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by friends or age mates that affects a student's behavior, attitudes, and academic decisions (UNESCO, 2023).
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