ASSESSMENT OF DROPOUT RATE AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE STUDENTS IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (F.C.T) ABUJA, 2011 -2016

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the dropout rates of senior secondary school
science students in FCT from 2011-2016. The study adopted survey research design.
The population of the study comprised of all senior secondary schools science
students in FCT, Abuja and sample size of 3516 senior secondary school science
students from five Public Senior Secondary schools drawn across the FCT using
multistage sampling procedure. Science Student Enrolment and Dropout Inventory
Form (SSEDIF) was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using
simple percentage, t-test and ANOVA. The results of the study revealed that the Rate
of dropout of secondary school science students in FCT from 2011 – 2016 is
decreasing in a very slow rate from 2011 to 2016. It was recommended that the
government should be more proactive in their efforts to reduce the rate of dropout of
senior secondary school science students in FCT, Abuja. Thus, government through
her agency for science education should plan and introduce incentive measures that
will help to retain, sustain and encourage senior secondary school science students,
mostly the male science students towards successful completion of their programme.
Such incentive may include scholarship, science grants and attractive graduation
package. Government also create more job opportunities and enabling environments
for graduates to be self-employed.