Challenges in Promoting the Right of a Girl Child to Basic Education in Soroti District of Eastern Uganda.

ABSTRACT This study undertook to identify the challenges in promoting the right of a girl child to basic education in Soroti District of Eastern Uganda. A cross sectional survey focusing primarily on sampled children who had dropped out and those in school, community leaders and government officials directly involved in the implementation of programmes was used. The area of study was Soroti District in the Sub Counties of Tubur, Katine and Asuret. The major methods used were; in-depth interview, focus group discussions and document analysis. Two hundred and fourty respondents were interviewed and three focus group discussions held. Although the District Local Government and development partners are making a difference to ensure access, retention and completion of the primary school cycle for girls, the study revealed that access to education opportunities alone did not guarantee survival an enabling family, community and school environment is more paramount. Another finding was correlation between age of entry and length of stay of the girl child in the educational system . Late school enrolment is likely to affect a child's ability to complete the cycle, leaving a child over aged for the teaching and learning activities being undertaken by the school. The physiological changes that come with adolescence require learning environments that are more responsive to girls needs. It was evident that a girl child needed an enabling environment to be a positive change agent in the community .This study has clearly shown that ensuring girls and boys benefit equally from the school system requires nothing less than the integration of gender equality concerns in the design and implementation of educational strategies. Based on the findings, conclusions and recommendations have been made. It is the researchers hope that this information will be useful to the relevant Ministries, Non Governmental Organizations, Soroti District Local Government and to the community to promote the right of the girl child to basic education.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Title Page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

De cia ration --------------------------------------------------------------"'----------------- 11

Ap p rova I ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii

D ed i cation --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv

Ack n owl ed gem en ts---------------------------------------------------------------------- v

Table of Contents ----------------------------------------------------------------------- vi

Appendices ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii

Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Problem --------------------------------------------------- 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem -------------------------------------·---------------- 7

1 . 3 Purpose of the Study------------------------------------------------------------ 7

1 .4 Objectives ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

1 . 5 Research Questions------------------------------------------------------------ 8

1 . 6 Scope of the Study--------------------------------------------------------------- 9

1 . 7 Sign ifica nee of the Study------------------------------------------------------ 9

1.8 Definition of Key Concepts----------------------------------------------------- 10

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2. 0 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

2. 1 Po I itica I Factors ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 5

2. 2 Socia - Cultural Factors ------------------------------------------------------ 17

2. 3 E con om ic Factors ------------------------------------------------- ------------- 1 9

2. 4 Institution a I Factors ------------------------------------------------------------- 21

2. 5 Con ceptu a I Frame Work-------------------------------------------------------- 2 3

v

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3. 0 Research Design ----------------------------------------------------------- ---- 28

3.1 Area of Study--------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

3. 2 Study Pop ul atio n---------------------------------------------------------------- 2 9

3.3 Sample Size, Selection and Composition -------------------------------- 30

3.4 Research Procedure----------------------------------------------------------- 31

3. 5 Methods of Data Collection-------------------------------------------------- 32

3.6 Data Analysis ------------------------------------------------------------------ 33

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND

INTERPRETATION

Major factors that account for Girl Child drop rate ------------------- 34

Effectiveness of the strategies of intervention in place that

Facilitate retention of girls in school.------------------------------------- 47

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Discussion ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 53

Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 59

Recommendations -------------------------------------------------------------- 62

Issues for Further Study------------------------------------------------------- 65

REFERENCES ------------------------------------------------------------------ 66

APPENDICES

Appendix A Map of Uganda showing where Soroti is located----------- 7 4

Appendix B Map of Soroti showing sub counties where

the study was undertaken--------------------------------------- 7 5