Typology of school dropout: The dimensions and dynamics of dropout in Ghana

This paper explores the dropout experience of children who dropped out of schools located in two rural communities1 in the Central Region of Ghana. The main research question sought to explore the meaning and types of drop out founded on the views of children who had dropped out of school. The study tracked 18 children aged 7–17 years. Snowball sampling was employed to identify participants of the study. Data was collected from children and significant others2 using in-depth interviews. Using CREATE's analytical framework of zones of exclusion, this paper identify five type of school dropouts and argues that policies to prevent dropout and encourage drop-in requires specific rather than general targeting.

Research highlights► Dropout is both temporary and permanent. ► Sporadic, event and long-term dropouts are constitutes temporary dropout. ► Unsettled and settled dropouts represent permanent dropout. ► Dropout was caused by interaction of conditions within and outside the school.