ASSESMENT OF INPEDIMENTS TO PUPILS ENROLMENT AND RETENTION AT THE BASIC EDUCATION LEVEL IN NORTH-WEST ZONE, NIGERIA

Basic education is fundamental for individual and societal development. However, Nigeria faces significant challenges in ensuring pupils enrolment and retention more especially in the northern region. This paper examines the impediments to pupils’ enrolment and retention at the basic education level. The objective of the study was to identify the causes and consequences of low school enrolment and retention in north-west zone, Nigeria and also determine strategies that can help overcome those challenges. A mixed methods research design was adopted for the study. The study obtained data from 70 principals, 140 teachers, 70 students, 28 youth who had dropped out of school, 35 youths that had never been to school, 7 ministry of Education officials, 14 SBMC members, 34 Parents and 14 Area Education Officers (AEO), using questionnaires, focus group discussions and interview guides. Findings from the study indicated that poverty, insecurity, parental level of education, early marriage were some of the leading causes of low enrolment and retention while some of the consequences revealed by the study include: increase in crimes and social vices,limits individuals' opportunities for skilled employment and better-paying jobs, reinforces gender inequality thereby limiting the girl-child empowerment and potential contributions to society and lower participation in democratic processes while some of the strategies that can enhance enrolment and retention identified are: Incentivizing parents to keep their children enrolled in locations with high level of low enrolment, Enhancing security in and around schools,  Implementing specific interventions to address the unique barriers faced by girls.