Managing learner absenteeism in some primary schools of Qacha's Nek District in Lesotho

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify the main factors contributing to learner absenteeism in Qacha’s Nek district. The study adopted a qualitative approach in order to understand the phenomenon. The population of the study comprised of principals, teachers, parents and learners in primary schools in Qacha’s Nek in which two schools responded accordingly. Principals, teachers, parents and learners were purposefully selected as appropriate respondents for the study. Both the semi-structured and focus group interviews were used to collect data. A total number of respondents was twenty-six, the collected data were analysed thematically. It was found that learner absenteeism is endemic in Qacha’s Nek schools which was part of this study. The study, therefore, concluded that absenteeism is rife and detrimental to learners’ progress with their education in selected primary schools in Qacha’s Nek. To mitigate the problem of learner absenteeism, the study recommends that; all the entire bodies that have a stake in learners’ education should work collaboratively for the enhancement of learners’ attendance of schooling.