School Dropout and Retention Strategies in Dadaab Refugee Camps, North Eastern Province, Kenya

ABSTRACT This dissertation is entitled “school dropout and retention strategies in Dadaab Refugee Camp, North eastern Province, Kenya”. The study was carried out based on four specific objectives; establish demographic profiles of the respondent in terms of age, sex, education, enrollment, and retentions in Dadaab refugee camps, identify the causes of school dropout in Dadaab refugee camps, identify school retention strategies, and establish the relationship between school dropout and retention rates in Dadaab camps. The research design was based on descriptive comparative and descriptive strategies correlations, A total of 535 persons were selected as study population and this brought up a population sample of 235 respondents. The research instrument used was questionnaire where informants were interviewed by filling the questionnaire or they filled alone themselves. According to three groups interviewed, the findings show that the causes of school dropouts were mainly as result of; poverty at the family level, lacking of enough trained teachers, lack of enough school recourses, and poor infrastructure; lack of awareness, lack of serious collaboration between the stakeholders working in the provision of the refugee education. The researcher finds the situation of school dropout is high and few retention strategies have been put in place. The researcher concurrently agrees with the findings (in the related study, literature review) that poverty is biggest cause of school dropout. According to three groups interviewed, the findings shows that the best school retention strategies are; addressing the poverty issue at the family level, conducting creation awareness to tackle number of issues causing school dropouts, establishing strong collaboration between stakeholders, finding more funding to improve the quality of education, and as well as conducting more assessment and more serious monitoring and supervision.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminaries Page

Declaration A

Declaration B ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Abstract v

Table of content vi

List of Table ix

List of Charts x

List of Acronyms xi

Chapter Page

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 4

Purpose of the Study 5

Research Objectives 5

Research Questions 6

Hypothesis 6

Scope 6

Significance of the Study 7

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 8

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 12

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions From Authors/Experts 12

Theoretical Perspectives 20

Related Studies 22

Three METHODOLOGY 26

Research Design 26

Research Population 26

vii

Sample Size 26

Sampling Procedure 27

Research Instrument 27

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 28

Data Gathering Procedures 28

Data Analysis 29

Ethical Considerations 29

Limitations of the Study 29

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF DATA

Demographic/School Dropouts/Community Education

Community/School Managements/teachers: 31

Causes of school dropouts 35

School retention strategies: 38

Relationship between School Dropout and School

Retention 41

F~ve FINDINGS, CONCLUSSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS

Findings 46

Conclusions 52

Recommendations 54

References 58

Appendices 60

Appendix I - Transmittal Letter 60

Appendix II- Transmittal letter for respondents 62

Appendix III - Clearance from Ethics Committee 63

Appendix IV - Informed Consent 64

Appendix V - Research Instrument 65

Researcherts Curriculum Vitae 71