The social factors of school dropout in Halabja, an analytical study

Abstract

Today, the educational process has undergone significant transformations in terms of teaching methods, resource availability, and the integration of technology. Alongside these changes, the phenomenon of school dropout has increased considerably. The Kurdistan Region is not exempt from this issue; especially in recent years, financial crises and the lack of post-graduation job opportunities have further exacerbated the phenomenon, leading to widespread despair among students regarding their educational future. The city of Halabja, as a governorate in the Kurdistan Region, has also been significantly affected by this trend.This research attempts to delve into the social causes of school dropout in this city. The primary research problem is formulated as follows: What are the social causes of dropping out of school? The objective of the study is to identify and analyze the factors influencing students' decisions to leave school. The significance of this research lies in uncovering the underlying social and cultural dimensions that may initially seem invisible but play a major role in the declining number of students across educational stages.Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative approach utilizing a descriptive-analytical method to ensure an accurate and objective investigation. The research population consists of high schools in the city of Halabja, while the sample comprises students who dropped out during the high school stage, selected via the snowball sampling technique.The most significant findings indicate that students' despair regarding the educational process—particularly the lack of employment opportunities in both public and private sectors due to the ongoing economic crises in the Kurdistan Region—is a major contributing factor. Consequently, education no longer guarantees future employment. Furthermore, family issues, notably parental divorce or the death of a parent, significantly contribute to school dropout. For instance, upon the death of a father, the son often assumes the family's economic responsibilities, whereas the death of a mother typically places the burden of caring for siblings on the daughter.