Factors Affecting Girl-Child Education Among Primary Schools In Chepkorio Zone, Keiyo District

ABSTRACT

When the NARC government in Kenya assumed power at the beginning of 2003, after

handing KANU a resounding defeat, it did make its pre~election pledge of Free

Primary Education (FPE) a reality. This resulted in increased enrolment at basic

education level with the numbers rising from 5.9 million pupils to 7.2 million by end

of 2003.

Though the move was applauded by many, key issues that seemed to reverse these

gains is taking root in the zone, where children are abandoning school at worrying

rates. The dropout rate even among primary children is noticeable.

This study thus aimed at identif~iing the key factors that presents this worrying

scenario and proposes possible ways of addressing the same.

The study employed a descriptive survey method as a research design, using two sets

of questionnaires, for primary teachers and Head teachers. 8 schools within Chepkorio

zone — the study area — were sampled out of a total of 19 public schools. These

schools were situated in the zone and therefore capture the target problem.

The findings were analyzed manually and results presented using frequency and

percentage tables to enable users to easily understand.

Findings indicated that children dropout due to the endemic poverty witnessed in the

zone. Parents and guardians see education as a luxury hence relocate their children,

however young, to work in farms and contribute to family income.

According to the findings of the study, the researcher opted to make the following

recommendations: ECD education should be integrated into the FPE program to ease

the bother from parents and allow pupils’ education to proceed uninterruptedly.

Parents / guardians should be made aware about the significance of school. This should especially target parents who had not attended school.