Samenvatting

This study explores the perspectives of teachers, parents, and teenage boys on pressing issues of absenteeism and dropout among boys in public secondary schools in North A district, Zanzibar. It exposes the underlying factors contributing to the high dropout rates, particularly among boys who are increasingly drawn to income-generating activities in the tourism and fishing, here referred to as ‘ocean fortunes sectors’. Using an action-research strategy, the researcher reached out to key stakeholders through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, FGDs, and observations. The findings reveal a complex interplay between sociocultural and economic policy factors that drive boys away from education. The study advocates for multi-stakeholder intervention strategies involving enhanced parental awareness, improving school teaching and learning resources, and a more supportive education policy that aligns education with local socio-economic realities to better support boys’ education in Zanzibar. These recommendations aim to create a more conducive learning environment that encourages school retention and academic success among boys in Zanzibar.