Abstract
This study was aimed to explore and document the voices of out of school children in order to identify some implications for education policy. Using a qualitative thematic analysis with some frequency counts, 216 interviews were conducted from those children who never attend any school. The researcher also conducted a focus group discussion of 7 parents in a supportive context to strengthen the viewpoint of children. Video recordings of interviews and discussion were transcribed and thematically coded. Four themes emerged from data. These were cultural factors, demographic factors, psychological factors, and socioeconomic factors that make unable children go to school. Poor design and implementation of education policies may limit literacy. Overall, the findings of study revealed that jobless fathers’, fear of sexual harassment, long-distance and incidents of girl child rape, parents tend to marry their children at early age, large size families, low income with no savings, low parental motivation, financial problems and domestic conflicts, high inflation rate were the main causes for being out of school. Furthermore, on the base of results, some implications were suggested for education policy.
Keyword(s)
Reflection, voices, out of school children, Implications, Education policy