DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORKS(1421)

This study investigates the causes and effects of school dropout among junior secondary school students in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State. Despite government interventions such as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program, school dropout remains a persistent challenge, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions. The study identifies key factors contributing to dropout, including economic hardship, family-related issues such as early marriage and teenage pregnancy, poor academic performance, and peer pressure leading to involvement in social vices. These factors are examined within the socio-economic and cultural context of the LGA. The study further explores the effects of dropout, which include limited employment opportunities, perpetuation of poverty, social isolation, and broader consequences for national development such as reduced literacy levels and strained educational resources. Findings reveal that existing interventions, including scholarship programs and mentorship initiatives, have not fully addressed the root causes of dropout in the area. The study recommends more targeted, context-specific strategies that account for the socio-economic and cultural realities of the region in order to improve school retention and ensure equitable access to education for all students.