Exploring Factors Affecting Girls' Education at Secondary Level: A Case of Karak District, Pakistan

The study examined the factors that affect girls' education at secondary school level in Karak District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan). All the female heads, teachers and students serving and studying at secondary school level in Karak District constituted the population of the study. The study was delimited to only 30 girls' secondary schools in the same district. In order to ensure adequate representation of the population, 30 heads, 120 teachers and 480 students were selected randomly as a sample. Quantitative descriptive research designed was used. Data was collected through self-developed semi-structured questionnaire designed on five Point Likert Scale. Statistical tools i.e., percentage and chi-square were used for data analysis. It was concluded that there were various factors that affect girls' education. These were: unpunctuality of teachers; unfeasibility of school buildings; poor financial status of the parents; lack of basic facilities; marriage at early age; lack of parental attention; negative attitudes of parents about girls' education; illiteracy of the parents; lack of competent teachers; lack of basic facilities for teachers; lack of proper security arrangement; and long distance to school, etc. Based on findings, it was recommended that negative attitude towards female education should be discouraged through mass media. Early marriage culture should be banned. Secondary education should be made free and a special programme of scholarships should be lunched for female students. School buildings should be constructed on feasible and suitable places so that majority of the girls may be beneficialized.