Educational Challenges Of Double Orphan Learners, Kiganjo Zone, Thika District - Kenya

ABSTRACT

The study was about educational challenges facing double orphans in Kiganjo Zone,

Thika district. There are many double orphan learners in the zone whose parents could

have died due to accidents or diseases like HIV/AIDS. cancer and others. The method

used in the study to collect data was qualitative approach, The research design was

survey method. The targeted population was teachers and double orphan learners in the

zone. The zone had twenty schools. The researcher sampled five schools out of the

twenty. These schools were Gachika, Gathiru, Kiganjo and Ucekeini. The instruments

and. tools used were questionnaires, interview and observation. They were used during

gathering of information. In the five schools, questionnaires were given to three teachers

per school. The total number being fifteen. The researcher interviewed the other teachers

in the five schools. The double orphan learners were interviewed through sampling

method. The researcher found many double orphans to have acquired many behavioral

changes after death of their parents. The behavioral changes have affected dearly their

academic performances. Many teachers have not been trained in areas of guidance and

counseling and in special needs education.The government has a major role in sensitizing

the members of the public on the plight of double orphans. It should also start

rehabilitation centre for these learners rather than waiting for well wishers like non governmental organizations which are very few in this area of double orphans.