The impact of socio-cultural factors on drop-out rates among secondary school girls in west Pokot district

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the Impact of socio-cultural factors on drop out rates of secondary school girls in West Pokot District which has showed marked increase over the years. Six research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study employed a descriptive survey which is an attempt to obtained empirical data from respondents of a population in order to determine the current status of that population with one or more variables. Questionnaires having closed and open ended questions were the only instruments used to collected data from both headteachers and students. Data was analyzed by use of computer package for social science. Findings revealed that public schools in West Pokot District had a large drop out rate among girls. It was also revealed that school climate contributed significantly to drop out among girls. The study further established that government policy on school fees contributed to drop out among girls. It was found that social cultural factors such as early marriage, FGM, pregnancies contributed to drop out among girls. The study found that there were home based factors that led to drop out of girls. Based on the findings it was concluded that school factors contributed to school drop out among girls in West Pokot District such as family poverty, negative attitude towards education of girls, lack of encouragement from the parents to girls education contributed to school drop out. In the light of the research findings it was recommended that the community should be educated on the importance of education of girls and that the government and NGO's should assist schools by providing them with the necessary facilities that will enhance girls' education. Schools are recommended to come up with a variety of strategies to encourage participation in education among girls and finally, the community should be encouraged to shed off cultural beliefs that hinder education of girls such as early marriages and FGM practices. In conclusion, the researcher suggested that a study on assessment of the role of capacity building in enhancing girl child education should be conducted together with an alternative modes of education among nomadic pastoralists.