INFLUENCE OF FAMILY LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND FAMILY SIZE ON STUDENTS’ DROPOUT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, IN KITAGWENDA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background Education is important to any country’s social, economic, and political development. Globally education is recognized as a basic human right. The study aims to assess the Influence of family level of education and family size on students’ dropout in secondary schools, in Kitagwenda district.  Methodology A cross-sectional descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population consisted of teachers, head teachers, officials in the education department of Kitagwenda District, and parents who are members of the committee of PTA students s.3 and s.4. After data collection, the responses to the questionnaire were coded, and then data entered into the computer for analysis.  Results Most of the respondents (90.4%) were unmarried and only (9.2%) were married. Most (200) were students from s3 and s4 classes. The majority of the respondents (82.8%) had a PLE level of education (2.8 %) had a diploma level and (5.02%) had degrees. Most (94.4%) agreed that uneducated parents encourage their sons to go to school as a way of compensation for their parents’ education in the area (Mean= 4.48; Standard deviation= 0.666). (89.6%) agreed that parents with low levels of schooling involve their children with home activities that are not academically focused, thus frustrating students who end up dropping out (Mean= 4.34; Standard deviation= 0.694). Most (90.6%) agreed that parents with bigger families have higher chances of dropping out of school (Mean= 4.45; Standard deviation= 0.646).  Conclusion Children from uneducated parents are more likely to drop out of school than children from educated parents.  Recommendations There is a need to revive community sensitization on the impact of education among rural people who have been noticed to be reluctant to educate their children.