CHALLENGES FACING THE GIRL CHILD EDUCATION IN THE SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SOTIK DISTRICT, KENYA

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ i

APPROVAL ....................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ................................................................................................................. iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................................................. iv

DEFINITION OF TERMS .............................................................................................. v

TABLE OF CONTENT .................................................................................................. vi

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ...................................................................... ix

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... X

ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... xi

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background of the study ..................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the problem .................................................................................... 3

1.3 Objectives of the study ......................................................................................... 3

1.3.1 General objective ................................................................................................. 3

1.3.2 Specific objectives ............................................................................................. 3

1.4 Research questio11S ................................................................................................ 3

1.5 Scope of the study .................................................................................................. 4

1. 6 Significance of the study ..................................................................................... .4

CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................... 5

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ...................................................................... 5

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 5

2.1 Poverty and education of girls ............................................................................ 5

2.2 Girl-child Labor and education of girls ........................................................... 5

2.3 Parents' Perceptions and attitudes towards schooling and girls ............ 6

2.4 Traditional and Socio-cultural practices and rites ..................................... 7

2.5 Insecurity and distance from school.. .............................................................. 7

CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................ ! 0

METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 1 0

3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... ! 0

3.1 Research Design ................................................................................................... 1 0

3.2 Environment/ Area and population of study ............................................ 10

3. 3 Sample selection ................................................................................................... 1 0

3.4 Data Collection ...................................................................................................... lO

3.4.1 Research instruments ..................................................................................... lO

3.5. Data Collection Procedures .............................................................................. l1

3. 6. Methods of data analysis .................................................................................. 11

3. 7 Statistical Treatment of Data ........................................................................... 11

CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................... 12

FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS ..................................................................... 12

4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 12

4. 2 Profile of the respondents .................................................................................. 12

4.3 Reasons for low enrollment of girls ................................................................ 13

4.3.1. Safety and security of girls and enrolment in secondary schools ... 13

4.3.2. The curriculum and enrollment of girls ................................................... 15

4.3.3. Harmful traditional practices and enrollment of girls in form one.l7

4.3.4 Attitudes towards girls and enrollment of girls in form one .............. 22

4.3.5. Poverty and enrolment of girls in form one ............................................ 27

4.3.2 Sanitary conditions ......................................................................................... .30

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................. 3 1

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................. 31

5.0. Introduction ......................................................................................................... .31

5. ·1. Summary .............................................................................................................. .31

5.2. Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 33

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 36

APPENDIX C: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE WITH THE PARENTS ....................................................................... 43

APPENDIX D: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR THE TEACHERS ............................ .44 

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reasons for low enrollment of girls in schools in Sotik District, Kenya. Specific Objectives of the study were: To investigate the relationship between security, safety and enrolment of girls in form one, examine the relationship the curriculum and enrolment of girls in form one, investigate the relationship between harmful traditional practices and enrollment of girls in form one, to investigate the relationship between attitudes towards girls and enrollment of girls in form one, to examine the relationship between poverty and enrolment of girls in form one and to examine the relationship between sanitary conditions and enrolment of girls in form one The methods used for data collection were questionnaires to the students, interviews for the teachers and focus group discussions with the parents. The findings revealed that unsafe environment at school, gender biased curriculum, harmful traditional practices, negative attitudes towards girls education, poverty and sanitary conditions lead to low enrollment of girls in form one. The study recommended that, Family mobilization is vital to success m educating girls. Information and awareness-raising campaigns should target parents, particularly mothers and encourage them to register girls in school. However, for the girl to remain and succeed in school, thorough action must be taken to encourage families to change attitudes and lighten the household workload of the girl and provide her with the time and a comfortable space for learning at home. Families are called upon to increase their involvement in the process of educating their daughters by providing adequate follow-up to academic learning at school and at home.