1 Continental J. Social Sciences 4 (2): 1 - 7, 2011 ISSN: 2141 - 4265 © Wilolud Journals, 2011 http://www.wiloludjournal.com Printed in Nigeria CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF FEMALE SCHOOL DROPOUTS AND THE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON GOVERNMENT BUDGET CASE STUDY: AYEDUASE TOWNSHIP W. Obeng-Denteh 1 and M. A. Amedeker 2 1 Department of Mathematics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana 2 Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana ABSTRACT Children in Ghana face a number of obstacles that prevent their full participation in society. Traditional customs often result in girls being dropped out of school at an early age to help manage the household. Only a handful of children enrolled primary schools complete grade five. The high female dropout rate in basic education is the result of a number of factors, including cultural practices such as early marriage, sexual activity, teenage pregnancy and child trafficking. The research brought out some retrospective features of the school dropouts and of course, the prospective aspects as well. KEYWORDS: early marriage, female dropouts, government, house chores, teenage pregnancy INTRODUCTION Education is a process of mapping experiences and finding a variety of reliable routes to optimal states in non- optimal states. Education is a key to industrialization and modernization and without it; one may find it difficult to develop socially, economically and politically. Female education cause improvement in family welfare, children’s health, lower fertility rates, and increased opportunities for self-employment while older children are involved in current welfare ( Boyden, 1996 ) elsewhere. Low enrolments are associated with lower Gross National Product (GNP) per capita and the association is stronger for countries with lower female enrolments (Behrman, 1991). Since women are concentrated in primary education, the quality and quantity of women’s education has probably been adversely affected. Large increases in school fees have also impacted negatively on females, being one of the main reason given for female drop outs (Bhalla et al, 1999). A study done by some staff of USAID during an international Women’s year in 1975, of educational statistics from 1973 to 1974 showed that, the highest dropout rate for girls occurred between 9 to 12 years old. Formal education helps the individual to develop his "God -given" talent (Dolphyne, 1997).Women education must be seen to be a means of development since she seeks the welfare of the family. At the World Conference on “Education For All” held at Dakar, Senegal, the then UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan declared, “the first step is for societies to recognize that educating girls is not an option, it is a necessity”(Pomoni, …). BACKGROUND The concept of female dropouts being chosen as the topic of this research is to find a solution to female dropouts, which are creeping out in our economy at a higher rate. In finding solution to such a challenge, the study will specifically try to answer why school children especially the females are dropping out of school and the likely problems that the individual, the society and the nation may face as a result of female dropouts? OBJECTIVES The main purpose of the study was to identify and explain the causes and effects of female dropouts. It will also collect and access data on enrolment of pupils according to gender. The research will also provide policy makers with relevant data in order to know the real situation and address it at the regional and national levels.