Absenteeism and academic performance of Girls in Secondary Schools

Absenteeism is one of the most basic indicators of to which extent the education needs of students are met by schools. Today across the globe, students' absenteeism in schools is a subject of great concern and discussion. This study investigated the influence of absenteeism on academic performance of Girls in community secondary schools in Morogoro District - Tanzania. The study sought to achieve four objectives namely; to examine the level of absenteeism of Girls, assess the factors that caused absenteeism among Girls, to determine the level of academic performance of Girl students and to establish the relationship between absenteeism and academic performance of Girls. The study revealed that compared Girl students with low absenteeism level (m=407) and those with higher attendance level in homework t (109.99) =6.492, p=.000.Several factors ranging from social, economic, cultural and school environment interrupted Girls' school attendance.Hygiene and sanitation for Girls, strong policies and affirmative action for Girls child emancipation, motivational practices and austere need for community sensitization and involvement needed to be enforced for better performance of Girls.