Factors influencing girls' enrolment in public primary schools:A case of Mumias Division in Mumias District

Abstract

Education is the foundation that we build upon for the rest of our lives. Education in the world is to ensure that it enables children both girls and boys from poor families enroll and complete a full course of primary school. Educating girls is one of the strongest ways not only to improve gender quality but in promoting economic growth and health development of families , communities and nations through human development. However, statistics from United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) show around 67 million children worldwide many of them girls do not get education opportunities and achievements due to war, famine, natural disasters and corruption. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing girls’ enrolment in public primary schools in Mumias Division, Mumias District in Kakamega County. The objectives of the study included to establish how economic factors influence enrolment of girls in Public primary schools , investigate how family background factors influence enrolment of girls in public primary schools, determine how social factors influence enrolment of girls in public primary schools, establish how cultural factors influence enrolment of girls in public primary schools, determine how school and environmental factors influence enrolment of girls in public primary schools. The study population comprised of primary school headteachers , class teachers, class eight girls and parents of Mumias division, Mumias District in Kakamega county . Three questionnaires were used to collect data and interview guidelines for parents. They were summarized and analyzed descriptively using tables, frequencies and percentages. A pretest was carried out in three schools randomly selected from 24 primary schools to test validity and reliability. The study found out that a combination of factors contributed to low enrolment of girls in public primary schools. The key factors were funding of the primary schools by the Government of Kenya. Poverty played another role negatively. It was also evident that majority of parents and guardians of the girl child had low economic background. It was also revealed that most parents and guardians had not attained higher level of education. According to female respondents, the high number of siblings was another major factor. The community should be sensitized on girl child rights. The T.S.C needs to employ more teachers for smooth running of schools. School feeding programme to alleviate hunger should be introduced in schools. The Government should increase funding to cater for the essential necessities.