Abstract:
Orphan and vulnerable children are children that are susceptible to various socioeconomic
problems. As a result, their education is characterized by high dropout rate, absenteeism and
low academic score. This study mainly conducted to explore the socio economic factors
influencing OVC academic achievement in selected primary schools of Burie woreda. The
study bases the social capital theory in which the theory stress the socio economic status of
the family has the determinant effect on the children’s academic achievement. This study is
believed to contribute in providing information and valuable data for the concerned bodies
about the impacts of socio-economic factors influencing the academic achievement of orphan
and vulnerable children in Burie worda. A mixed method research was designed to assess the
socioeconomic factors influencing OVC’s academic achievement. The sample of 238
respondents (OVC) in Burie wereda primary school was selected from the cluster schools
based on systematic sampling method. In addition to these, homeroom teachers, school
principals, care givers were participated in the study. Questionnaires, focus group discussion,
interview and document review was implemented for data gathering purpose. Data collected
has been analyzed using thematic analysis method and statistical methods for qualitative and
quantitative data respectively. The finding of the study revealed that OVC are living with
caregivers who are economically poor and which are the main challenge for their academic
achievement. They have the problems of financial resource, cloths, learning resource and
basic needs and which influence their learning achievement. OVC in the area are being often
absent from school and dropout from school and also score low. They also did not receive any
support from the concerned body in the area. Efforts should be made in strengthening
families’/guardians economic capacity through income generating activities. The government
should examine its educational policy make the policy inclusive or should examine the
situations of OVC were recommended based on the findings.
Keywords: socio-economic Factors, academic achievements
