Factors influencing the expectations of muslim mothers for their daughters' level of educational attainment in Mombasa District

Abstract

The rnajor objective• of the study was to investigate the relationship between selected social and economic factors of Muslim Mothers and expectations for their daughters' level of educational attainment.The factors included current age, age at first marriage, level of formal educational attainment, pre-marital occupation and religious perceptions.

The study was carried out in Old Town Location during

December 1992 through to April 1993.

A purposive sample of 62 mothers who had daughters responded to a semi-structured questionnaire.Two key informants participated in indepth interviews.The key informants provided names of 12 women who provided additional information through focus group discussion. Their selection was based on long experience and participation in the community's socio-cultural and economic activities.In addition 23 women from the sample of 62 provided information on their life histories.Selection was based on age and educational background in addition to social status in the

community.

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(vi)

Based on these findings the following recommendations were formulated:

(i) campaign 2roqrams are needed to emphasize the importance of formal education for girl. Such campaigns should be made in form of a series of exhortation at local (or personal level if they are to have an impact. (ii) There is need to re-educate Muslim Women on religious tenets which might threaten the adoption of formal schooling for girls.Also there is need for regular consultations between religious leaders and the adherents. Information should further be relayed through women groups such as lelemama(a lobby group) and Vyama, (parties or organizations). (iii) positive role models are also needed. There is need for local female teachers and working girls to demonstrate that it is possible to get an education and employment and at the same time keep one's religious morals intact