Early Marriage and its Impacts on Girls’ Secondary School Dropout in Mufindi District, Tanzania

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the influence of early marriage on girls’ school dropout in Mufindi District, Tanzania. The study adopted descriptive research design in which qualitative research approach was used. Interview and Focus Group Discussion were used to collect data from girls’ dropout from school and parents of schooling children. The qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis.  The findings revealed that most girls were dropping out from school due to early marriages, and most of the students who are affected by this cultural practice are the ones in the lower level of secondary school, Form I –II level. The study recommends to the Government and Non-Governmental Organizations to come up with programs that seek to create inclusive learning environment for boys and girls by eliminating existing harmful cultural practices that contribute in pushing girls out of schools in the study area.