BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: EXPLORING SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF SCHOOL DROPOUTS IN KECH DISTRICT, BALOCHISTAN

Abstract

This study explores the socio-cultural barriers affecting children's access to education in District Kech, Balochistan—an area where many communities remain marginalized and excluded from the advancements of modern science and technology. The region suffers from chronic neglect by central authorities, resulting in deep-rooted educational disparities. The primary objective of this research is to identify the socio-cultural and institutional factors contributing to low enrollment, high dropout rates, and poor educational outcomes among children. A descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and focus group discussions. Participants included parents of out-of-school children, school principals, and district education officials across the four tehsils of District Kech. Thematic analysis and data verification techniques were used to ensure reliability and validity of the findings. The results revealed a complex set of interlinked barriers including poverty, early marriages, gender bias (particularly son preference), social exclusion, lack of female teaching staff, and insufficient educational infrastructure. The study highlights the pressing need for culturally responsive educational policies, enhanced investment in local schooling systems, and community-level interventions to address the multifaceted challenges impeding children's education in the region.