An Assessment of the Effects of Secondary School Dropouts on Crime Increase in Nyamagana District

Secondary school dropout and crime seem to be crucial issues in the eduction, economic and social context in Tanzania. Consequently, this study was to assess the effects of secondary school dropouts on crime increase in Nyamagana District. Specificically the study sought to assess the extent to which secondary school dropouts involve in crime, to examine factors that make secondary school dropouts engage in criminal behavior and to identify types of crime that secondary school dropouts are frequently involved. A mixed approach, although mainly quantitative was employed in connection with survey design. A sample comprised of fifty six (56) rspondents. The data was collected using questionnaire, interview and documentary analysis. SPSS programmes was used for processing and analyisis of data. The findings of the study revealed that secondary school dropouts are most likely to involve in criminal offenses such as robbery, rape, drug abuse, burglary, theft, murder, assalt and alcoholism and factors that make them involve in criminal actions were found to be poverty, unemployment, envy, social isolation, peer pressure, alcoholism, corruption and ignorance. The findings suggest that an increase of the number of dropouts impinges the increase in criminal offenses. The study recommends that there should be improved teaching and learning environment in secondary schools to keep students in schools; the use of educative phrases like “students who learn more earn more” that will motivate students; improved performance of guidance and counseling school committee and improved provision of quality and equity education to students.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

The Open University of Tanzania

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Buswelu, Onesmo Mpuya

• 370 Education

Language dc:language

en