SCHOOLING AND GIRLS' SCHOOL DROPOUT IN SAKÉTÉ: WHAT SOLUTIONS FOR GIRLS' SOCIAL INTEGRATION?

Girls' school dropout remains a critical issue of educational equity and human development. This study, conducted in the municipality of Sakété (Benin), identifies the causes, explanatory factors, and social implications of female school dropout. A mixed-methods approach combined a quantitative survey of 285 respondents (120 girls aged 10–24, 120 parents or guardians, and 45 key stakeholders) with focus group discussions and life history narratives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a structured questionnaire. Local perceptions were analysed using two ethnometric indices, the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF); a chi-square test assessed the association between school level and dropout, and a binary logistic regression identified explanatory factors. Results show that most dropouts occurred at the secondary level (51.38% lower secondary; 33.33% upper secondary), with a significant association between school level and dropout (χ² = 12.59; p = 0.0018). The most frequently cited causes were economic hardship, preference for boys' education, and reproductive factors (RFC > 0.6; ICF > 0.95). School distance (OR = 1.26), male children in the household (OR = 2.22), and early pregnancy (OR = 1.96) significantly increased dropout risk, whereas a household head with secondary education (OR = 0.22) and married status (OR = 0.14) were protective. These findings call for integrated, multisectoral policies combining economic support, improved school infrastructure, psychosocial assistance, and community awareness to strengthen girls' school retention.