Dropout and truancy problems in Acarlar district

This study was conducted with the purpose of determining how administrators, teachers, students and parents approach towards dropout and truancy in Acarlar District. In addition, the effects of truancy on students, the reasons of truancy, what would be done in case of truancy and suggestions of applicants were detected. In the study, qualitative research method was used in order to reach the intense data that establish the present state. Observation and interview techniques of qualitative research method was chosen. This study was done with administrators, teachers, students and parents in 3 primary schools in Acarlar District, İncirliova County, Aydın Province. It was made up of 7 administrators, 9 teachers, 5 students and 6 parents in total. The data taken from interviews were sorted out with content analysis and descriptive analysis in Nvivo 7 program. Hereby the results of the study: • The personal characteristics of truants are having academic failure, lack of self confidency, being aimless, being dependent on attention and not loving school. The family characteristics are indifferent family, divorced family and low-incomed family. • Personal reasons for truancy: Dislike school, aimlessness, lack of self confidency; Reasons about family: not giving importance to school, early marriage, seasonal labour, working, taking after siblings; Enviromental reasons: peer effect, internet and pool games. • Some suggestions of applicants: increasing the attraction of school, establishing board schools, nursery schools for younger siblings, fees for parents who do not let their children go to school, financial support and institutional cooperation. KEY WORDS: Acarlar, Truancy, Dropout, Early Marriage