Disengagement from education

In the case of girls, specific circumstances contribute to them dropping out of school, such as teenage pregnancy, classroom practices, poverty, illness or death in the family, early marriage, sexual harassment, and peer pressure.

When disengaged from the educational system, young people become disconnected and isolated, they feel worthless and incapable of contributing in significant ways in the different domains of their lives such as the family, community or at the national level.

[3] According to studies, post-basic education is significant for girls and women, but face challenges and difficult choices to continue with schooling.

[4] Many factors influence young women's engagement with the school system, including financial barriers, cultural beliefs, and marital status.

[1] Despite in schools girls and boys are given equal opportunities, there are some factors that affect female students that lead them to disengage from education.

Reasons for the disengagement from education by girls are poverty, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, harmful traditional practices like initiation rites, and gender-based violence.

[6] Studies show that, in South Africa, financial barriers is the main obstacle to continuing education for black young people.

Fees, even at the lower amount, pose a burden to families who struggle to raise enough money to send their children to secondary school.

Divorce and death may change the financial status of the family, and the educational needs of the children could not be met due to dwindling incomes.

[1] In cases of migration, though the financial situation of a family may have improved, children lacked emotional support and parental motivation.

In the absence of parental motivation and support, young people are left to manage on their own the challenges that arise during puberty, and are thus more vulnerable to peer pressure.