Drop- Out Rates In Universal Basic Education (UBE) In Abia State: Implication For MDGs Delivery:- Akanwa U. N

Abstract Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) seek to achieve amongst others Universal Basic Education (UBE). Nigeria is working towards the achievement of this objective. This study sought to find out the drop-out rates in Universal Basic Education (Primary and Junior Secondary Schools) in Abia State. The study employed the descriptive survey design. Four (4) research questions were asked and two (2) hypotheses formulated to guide the study. Data were collected using a proforma to show the drop-out rates from enrolment in both primary andjunior secondary schools in Abia State. This information was got from the Statistics units of Abia State Basic Education Board and Secondary Education Management Board. The research questions were answered using percentages while the hypotheses were tested using Chi- Squared statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Results show that there were no drops in the primary schools while the trend is different in the junior secondary school where it is clear that students have been dropping out of school. It was therefore recommended that the Federal Government should address the first MDGs goal of poverty and hunger reduction which may have contributed to these drops.