Hindrances to Quality Education in Secondary Schools in Slums in Kenya: a Study of Soweto Slum, Embakasi Sub-county, Nairobi County

Abstract

Learning in a slum is of a concern when the quality of education offered is considered. This work only focused on one of such slums, Soweto. Three secondary schools in the slum were sampled. These schools are, St. Justino, Malisho and Lorna Waldington. From the three schools, a total sample of 120 students was selected. Forty students responded to the questionnaires that were administered. In addition, principals from the three schools were also interviewed. Secondary schools face serious problems in this area. The sampled schools in this research indicated the challenges that the students face, something that delimits the quality of education availed to them. From the study, it is clear that lack of enough learning materials poses the greatest challenge to the quality of education availed. 80% of the respondents agreed that their schools have limited learning materials. In addition, insecurity is the other challenge that the students are being subjected to. Soweto, being a slum, has a very unreasonable population of unemployed youths, something that is a threat. Unemployed youth abuse drugs and steal from people, something that affects the enrolment and attendance of the students. It should also be noted that principals, the church and the society are not blind to the challenges encountered by the students. Principals are constantly pushing for joint exams, something that has really helped to gauge the students and improve their competitiveness. In addition, the church has played a critical role in ensuring that the education standard is boosted in the schools that they man. They have taken a key role in instilling discipline to the students and making sure that they live a responsible life. The church has also played a key role in the provision of learning materials and food to the needy students. It must also be underscored that the society is working hand in hand with the schools and the church to ensure that the students get the best in their lives. The public cooperates with the relevant authorities to ensure that cases of indiscipline and insecurity have been addressed in the slum.