Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies: Home

Abstract:
The study assessed the prevalence of truancy among secondary school students. It also determined the predisposing factors to truancy. These were with a view to understanding the phenomenon of truancy and devising means of curbing it. The study adopted survey design. The population for the study comprised secondary school students in Osun State. The sample consisted of one hundred and seventy-five (175) students. From the 3 senatorial districts in the state, one senatorial district was randomly selected. Five Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from the senatorial district. Ten secondary schools were selected from the five LGAs, two secondary schools from each LGA. The research instrument titled Questionnaire on Truancy was used to collect data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using percentage and chi-square. It was found from the study that more male students 77(44.0%) have been absent from school without permission from the school authority than female students 40(22.9%).Therefore, truancy is prevalent but more among male students than female students. Also, prevalent among students of age range 13-15 years (62.9%). It was also found that student related factor 48.6%, peer related factor 31.4% and school/teacher related factor 14.3% were factors predisposing students to truancy. It was therefore concluded that truancy is prevalent in schools and it is pertinent to understanding truancy and improving school facilities and qualities of guidance and counselling services rendered to curb truancy among school students.

Keywords: Truancy, At-risk, Poverty prone, Prevalence, Learning

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