Schooling despite all odds: evidence from Lesotho on female child careers who stayed in school

Brenda Yamba

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisExternal prepared

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Abstract

This study employed a qualitative research approach to answer the main research question - Why and how are some female children who are the primary carers in their households in Lesotho, still able to regularly attend secondary school, despite adverse situations?

Even though child carers devised coping strategies to attend school, the pressure of caring weighed heavily on their minds, even while at school. A vision for a better future was the key individual attribute that kept the child in school. External support and a conducive environment within family, school and community all played a role in nurturing this resilience and influenced school attendance

This study leads to the following considerations for policy: free secondary schooling, teacher training to provide specialized psychological support, in-school peer-support programs, and community programs supporting those that help vulnerable groups.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Maastricht University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Siegel, Melissa, Supervisor
  • Kriz, K., Co-Supervisor, External person
  • Volante, L., Co-Supervisor, External person
Award date22 Jun 2017
Place of PublicationMaastricht
Publisher
Print ISBNs9789086664221
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

JEL classifications

  • i24 - Education and Inequality
  • i25 - Education and Economic Development
  • o15 - "Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration"

Keywords

  • girls education
  • child carers
  • child caregivers
  • resilience
  • Lesotho education

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