What’s pushing them out of school? A mixed methods approach to examining primary school dropout in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya

• Published in: International journal of educational development 2024-11, Vol.111, p.103172, Article 103172
• Main Author: Cha, Jihae
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Kenya; Refugee camp; Refugee education; Refugees; School dropout
• ISSN: 0738-0593
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103172

Using an integrated sequential mixed methods design, this research examined the case of children and youth in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya in relation to factors that influence school dropout. We used purposive sampling and snowball sampling to recruit children and youth who were enrolled in a formal education system and but were no longer attending and/or has not completed primary school. Drawing from 685 student surveys and 46 semi-structured interviews with out-of-school individuals, results suggest that factors such as inability to pay school-related fees, strict school policy on uniforms and supplies, poverty, and family responsibilities contributed to primary school dropout in Kakuma Refugee Camp. This article concludes with implications for addressing school dropout issues in a camp setting through ongoing professional development and intersectoral and collaborative approaches to refugee education. •Dropout rates in Kakuma Refugee Camp were primarily due to the indirect costs of schooling and families' inability to afford them.•Without uniforms and/or supplies, students were often prohibited from attending classes or were denied entry to the school compoud.•While many students saw their absence as temporary most faced barriers to re-entry, leading to prolonged periods of dropout.•The findings of this study indicate that over 93 % of out-of-school children and youth expressed a strong desire to resume their education.•Removing school uniforms may not be feasible in Kakuma, where they are perceived to promote security, unity, and discipline.