Exploring Problems Faced by Female Students in a Weekly Boarding Day Secondary School in Chadiza, Zambia

Abstract

This article highlights the findings of a study that explored girls’ issues in weekly boarding. The objectives of this research were twofold: (1) explore the problems that exist among the girls in weekly boarding at Chadiza Day Secondary School; (2) determine how problems among the girls in weekly boarding day secondary schools impede their education. This study used a mixed method research employing a case study. The study sample consisted of 38 participants: 12 girls, 10 boys, 10 teachers (5 female teachers and 5 male teachers), 2 guidance teachers, 2 administrators and 2 parents. Participants were sampled using snowball, purposive and convenience sampling methods. Data were collected through questionnaires, interview guide, observation guide and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and were analysed qualitatively using thematic data analysis technique and quantitatively employing descriptive data analysis method. As such, this study established issues that girls, who do weekly boarding at Chadiza Day Secondary Schools, were involved in; and how these issues impeded their education. The findings served as an eye-opener for the School administration, teachers and parents to provide services that would help to provide quality education and reduce existing issues that impede the education of girls. The results of the study were discussed in reference to thematic areas of the findings; related literature on girls’ issues in weekly boarding and the authors drew attention to how these issues impeded their education. The study concludes that weekly boarding in day secondary schools is a good initiative but should be provided under what may be called ‘supervised weekly boarding’ in order to avoid girls’ issues that may affect their education and life at large.