School Dropouts: Rebel students or a broken system? Being a school “dropout” comes with serious social stigma. What are the reasons behind this situation? Sunday, 07 February 2021, 14:51 School dropouts are considered a social taboo in South Africa. For many, it’s a marker of failure. Sponsored Content BUSINESS NEWS - I think everybody, at some point in their lives, has thought about dropping out of school. I mean, there are also cases where kids and teens drop out and don’t disclose why because they’re afraid of being judged for things beyond their control. Overzealous A+ students get confident and many of them even decide that finishing out their school years is a waste of time - because they feel equipped to take on the world, as they are.