Obstacles to female participation in education at basic level: A case study of Wasa Amenfi district in the Western region of Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the main causes that accounted for the low participation and retention of the girl-child at the basic level of education in the Wasa Amenfi District of the Western Region of Ghana. The study period covered September 1997 to August 2004. The descriptive survey design was adopted. Samples were drawn from five (5) circuits out of the 13 circuits of the Wasa Amenli District. Respondents were made up of 476 parents/guardians, 150 teachers/circuit officers and 500 female pupils at the basic level. Data for the study were obtained through questionnaire and interview schedules. Statistical data was also obtained from both the Wasa Amenfi District and the Western Region Education Offices. The data collected were organised into tables, frequencies and percentages which were the main statistical techniques used to analyse and interpret the data. ,foverty accounted for parents’ inability to enroll and maintain girls in school. The high poverty level probably also accounted for poor parental care leading to truancy and teenage pregnancy resulting in the girl-child dropping out of school. Preference for sending boys rather than girls to school, and distance covered by girls to school similarly left girls out of school, Similarly, single parenthood accounted for truancy of girls that finally led to her drop out of school. Furthermore, the absence of female teachers was found to be a disincentive to girl retention in school.