Principals’ Administrative Roles in Combating School Drop-Outs in Rural Public Day Secondary Schools in Zomba District, Malawi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the principals’ administrative roles in combating school drop-out in rural public day secondary schools in Zomba district, Malawi. The study employed a mixed method research design where the target population consisted of various stakeholders in secondary school setting. Questionnaires, interview guides and observation checklist were used to collect data. Findings established that the principals performed various roles aimed at curbing school dropout which included: sensitizing community on importance of education as well as guiding and counselling students, ensuring that the school environment is conducive for learning, giving incentives to students, regularly checking students’ registers and sourcing for funds to cater for needy students’ school fees. The study recommends that the government and other stakeholders in the education sector should increase the funding for secondary education to cater for all the
school monetary needs in order to cushion pupils from poor economic background from dropping
out of school.