A recent report by Village Education Committees (VECs) in Oyam district has revealed concerning disparities in school dropout rates between boys and girls. Data collected from 660 households across 11 villages between June and August 2023 highlights a significant gender bias in education.
According to the report, 64% of girls drop out of school before reaching Primary 7, compared to only 36% of boys. While there has been slight improvement due to Parental Empowerment and Engagement (PE&E) initiatives, the gap remains significant.
Reasons for the Disparity
The VECs attribute the disparity to several factors:
Gender Bias: Parents in Oyam district tend to favor boys over girls, creating a stronger bond with their sons. This bias makes it difficult for girls to share their educational challenges,particularly those related to body changes during adolescence.
Parental Involvement: There is a poor perception among parents regarding participation in school activities. Only 12% of parents in the surveyed villages provided adequate educational materials for their children.
Positive Developments
Despite these challenges, there have been some positive changes. Denis Opio Olabo, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) officer at FICH noted improvements due to continuous engagement through the VECs. “PE&E initiatives have started to enlighten parents about the importance of being proactive in their children’s education. School attendance has improved, although it remains challenging during farming seasons”, Opio explained
The report was shared with the VECs during a reflection session on the household data collected. The MEAL department plans to continue tracking changes and gathering data with the help of the VECs to monitor progress.
END