Identifying the school dropout in various areas of Lodhran

Abstract

This research paper investigates the relationship between child growth and school dropout rates in Lodhran- a city in Punjab, Pakistan. The primary objective is to identify gender differences in school dropout rates linked to growth-related factors. Child growth is operationalized to encompass increasing chronological age, physical maturation, and the social significance of reaching puberty as a marker of adulthood. The study involved a survey of children who had dropped out of school in Lodhran, with participants randomly selected from district Lodhran. Data were gathered using a questionnaire featuring a three-item scale designed to evaluate the role of child growth in school dropout. The findings indicate that a relatively small percentage of children in Lodhran leave school due to financial constrains, and physical growth, Notably, a higher proportion of girls leave school due to puberty as reasons for their dropout (42%), where in boys leading cause was financial reasons recording 51.7%. Data analysis reveals a statistically significant difference between genders regarding school dropout rates related to growth issues.