Problems of Early Married Female Students in Continuing Education: A Multiple Case Studies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This paper highlights major reasons and effects of early marriages from the perspective of early married female students. The study was descriptive in nature, qualitative method and a multiple case studies design has been selected. The population for this research consists of all the girls that are early married at school/college level and are able to continue their studies as a regular attendee. For this study, Purposive sampling and convenience sampling was used for the selection of accessible population. The sample of the study comprised of 30 early married girls who were married before age 22. Total 23 girls from Public Higher Secondary Schools/Colleges and 7 girls from Private colleges were purposively selected. To investigate the views of school authorities regarding early marriage of girls, one principal and two teachers were conveniently selected from each school of both sectors. So total 10 heads of schools and 20 teachers were included through focus group discussion methodology and semi-structured interviews. The major reasons and effects of early marriages of girls were found to be social pressure, childhood engagements, and fathers/elders’ decisions. Teenage pregnancy, household chores, lack of in-laws and spouse support, time management, absenteeism and strict rules and rigid time-table are found to be major effects hurdles in their education that affects their education negatively. This study recommended special focus maybe paid to develop awareness among fathers, awareness programs may be arranged for girls as well in schools and colleges, Involved religious scholars, double shifts classes in both sectors, use of social media, day-care facility and transport facility, uniform and proper documentation of polices, teachers training, scholarships/stipends or fee concessions, relaxation in maternity leaves, book banks and photocopy facilities and seeking public health sector help in providing food supplements for pregnant female students.

         Keywords: early marriage, regular attendee, household chores, uniform policy, Absenteeism