Concept Paper

Managing libraries to moderate the high rate of dropout in SLC

 

Introduction

 "The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library."

Information is seen as an important factor of socio-economic production. Due to their position as the trusted source of information for many people, libraries play a pivotal role in facilitating socio-economic development by promoting good governance, literacy, social reconstruction, innovation and better decision making. (Kwanya, 2014).  Various researches done have all compelling evidence that libraries bring a positive impact on student achievement.

SLC or SEE is seen as great importance in Nepal and it determines what career path a student chooses. In my village Lamidada, Dolakha, there is no functioning library and there’s overall lack of teaching and learning materials. This study aims to bridge the gap of lack of libraries to prevent unavailability of materials.

 

Need for study

According to government records, the dropout rate in Lamidada is almost 32%. This dropout rate will spike to even greater numbers this year given the unfortunate situation we all are in. According to locals, many students in the village dropout during SLC simply because there’s lack of even basic reading cum learning materials like books, copy and good instructors. Many have to leave school early to financially support their family.

If a good library can be established, a lot of reasons to dropout can be easily addressed. Our study will evaluate all these constraints and recommend the best possible ways to establish and function the library to aid the needy students.

 

Background

Recently a survey was done by the District Administration Office to find out whether students are receiving proper materials to study. It was found that the free books provided by the government failed to reach in hands of students even months after the academic calendar started. This alone hinders the education level the students can attain. Also, the free lunch program in school had been halted due to insufficient funds.

In Nepal, Siwakoti (2008) found that there was no government agency to control, monitor and evaluate the school libraries activities. There was a lack of awareness programs, budgetary constraints, inadequate space, inadequate library materials, lack of trained and skilled manpower and lack of appropriate government policy and lack of information literacy.

All the studies done within Nepal fail to mention how dropout rates are high and how libraries especially can help to reduce the dropout rates. This study will therefore be focused on these gaps.

 

Objectives

The study aims to achieve the following objectives:

    1.     To understand the specific reasons students choose to dropout.
    2.     To study how the availability of materials can decrease the dropout rates.
    3.     To establish a proper library and help manage it sustainably.
    4.     To help students explore the rest of the world by giving them access to computers.

 

Research Questions

    1.     Will students make a habit of using materials in the library?
    2.     Can a sustainable flow of funds be made to run the library?
    3.     How well can establishing library lower the dropout rate?   
    4.     Can every student access library?
    5.     Can the library improve adult literacy?

 

Methodology

The following methods are intended to be conducted for the study :

1.     Planning

The planning is aimed to create an outline for the study. We will first work on managing funds required for the study itself and establishment of the library. The team will look for donors for books, building materials. Likewise, we will maintain contact with respected governmental bodies in the area.

2.     Observation and Interaction

After reaching the site, we will identify problems in the area regarding the drop out rates in a more detailed manner. We will then interact with selected students to further clarify the situation. Then we will work with locals in the area to look for ways they can help us in our study.

3.     Data collection

After observation and interaction, we will properly maintain and analyse data which will help us in the feasibility study.

4.     Feasibility study

In this phase, we will lay out plans to establish a library. We will get permission from the governmental agencies and work to build the library concerning the available budget. Also, ways to sustainably manage the library will be identified.

5.     Evaluation

In this stage, we will evaluate all the findings and establish a library. Then, we will keep track of how well the library functions, how well the students utilize the existing materials and how well the library has aided to lower the dropout rate in SLC.

6.     Review

In this stage, we will review our findings in the study. If the library aids in lowering the dropout rates, we will recommend other local level governments to manage a proper library in their region and lower the dropout rates. 

 

Research Timeline

This study is expected to be concluded within 37 weeks. The activity durations for every portion of the report are indicated below:

• Title: 1 week
• Introduction: 1 week
• Background: 3 weeks
• Objectives: 2 weeks
• Research questions: 1 week
• Study Methodology: 25 weeks
• Data analysis interpretations and discussions: 2 weeks
• Summary, conclusion, and recommendation: 1 week
• Reviewing work for final submission: 1 week 

 

References:

Kwanya, Tom. (2014). The impact of libraries and information services in shaping Vision 2030 in Kenya.

Siwakoti, Sharada. (2009). Status of School Library Development in Nepal. Sri Lankan Journal of Librarianship and Information Management. 1. 10.4038/sllim.v1i1.427.

Devkota, S. P., & Bagale, S. (2015). Primary Education and Dropout in Nepal.