Exploring the Socio-Political Factors Promoting Primary School Dropout in District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

School dropout produces inverse effects on the person, their entire family, and society. However, primary school dropout results in even more drastic consequences, including drug addiction and criminality. The current study intends to explore the social and political factors associated with primary school dropout. The study is conducted in the Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is a qualitative endeavor that elaborates the findings from a scholarly point of view. A sample size of 60 participants (dropped-out students) of primary schools, i.e., GPS (Government Primary School) Haji Baba, GGPS (Government Girls Primary School) Haji Baba, GPS Malookabad, GGPS Malookabad, GPS Raja Abad, and GGPS Watke, was selected for the study. To reach more precise information, data were collected through an interview guide. The data are presented to the readers through an interpretative paradigm. The current study finds that multiple factors pave the way for primary school dropout, of which social and political ones are more influential. More engaging among the social factors are poverty, unemployment, an ineffectual system of education, child labor, and lack of technological development and commercialization. Whereas, lack of educated political leadership, their undue interventions in educational institutions and recruitment processes, their lack of interest in educational and technological advancement, the state's lack of prioritization for education and sciences, and lack of the rule of law are the political dimensions that cause students to drop out from primary schools. The study recommends that, like tiny employment positions, the political leadership also needs to have appropriate qualifications and accountability. Moreover, the political intervention need to be minimized from recruitment processes. The researcher feels a need to explore the causes of political and governance failure that have created enormous problems for the state and its inhabitants.