Schooling and the silencing of dropouts’ voices

The study examines the silencing of dropouts’ voices. Specifically, this study investigates their perspectives on leaving school and how they navigate societal views, highlighting the influence of social and psychological factors on their experiences. Using ethnographic methods, the researcher immersed himself in the community as a participant-observer to gather insights into the central issue: how dropouts navigate schooling and the conditions that shape it. Findings reveal that: 1. The stigma around school dropouts stems from deeper structural inequalities and a history of marginalization. 2. Their identity centers on valuing practical over academic knowledge, which acts as a distinct form of cultural capital. The decision to drop out is deeply influenced by psychological and sociocultural factors. The study concludes that these dropouts’ voices emerge from complex psychological, social, geographical, and political conditions they navigate as they construct their identities and occupy the margins of the educational system.