Factors associated with girls' increased access, participation and completion rates in selected high schools in Kitwe district
The purpose of the study was to investigate factors associated with girls' increased access, participation and completion rates in high schools in Kitwe District of the Copperbelt Province. A survey approach was used in conducting this research. Data was collected through interviews, questionnaires, and Focus Group Discussion to a sample of people selected to accurately represent the population under study. The study used the functionalist theoretical perspective on education which states that education plays an important role in the school going children. The study used mainly qualitative methods in the collection of data. This research was highly descriptive in nature. Quantitative method was also used for numerical data to a very minimal level. The target population comprised all the head teachers, teachers and grade twelve pupils in all the high schools in Kitwe District. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse quantitative data from which frequencies, percentages and graphs were generated while qualitative data obtained through interviews and focus group discussions were coded and grouped by establishing the emerging themes. The study found out that high completion rates of girls on the Copperbelt could be attributed to among other things, good environment in which some schools are located; the manner in which their teachers motivated them; contribution of the Programme for the Advancement of Girls Education (PAGE); and the help from NGOs such as CINDI, CHEP/CHANGES2 and HODI that have come on board in helping the girls in need of school support. The study recommended that: • Teachers' content knowledge, their instructional skills and strategies must be enhanced through proper continuous professional development. • More programmes should be introduced in highs schools to specifically encourage girls to develop positive attitudes towards school. • Building of new high schools should be a continuous process. • The Ministry of education should put in place a stimulating package which would encourage local people to form NGOs that would support girls in their communities to access secondary school education. • More funding should be given to high schools that would record 90% completion rate at grade 12 level.
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