An analysis of the role of family and institutional care on education of orphans

Abstract

The objective or this study was to ascertain the role played by family based care and institutional care in the education of schooling orphans. This research explored two care support mechanisms and their coping capacities to establish which one is fostering and sustaining orphan education. The study was conducted in Kibera slums of Langata District in Nairobi Province. The sample size was 50 orphan respondents with 25 respondents coming from each care model. This research was dcscripti ve which used cross sectional survey design to collect data and by means or this method, different categories of orphans who are simultaneously moving through an education phase like primary and secondary school were surveyed. Purposive method was used to identify orphan institutions from a register of orphan institutions whereas stratified sampling method was used to select orphan respondents living in the selected institutions. Quota sampling method was used to select orphan respondents living with families. Proportional quotas were created to determine the number of males and females and the number of slum areas to be surveyed. Two questionnaires were used for each care model. Data analysis invol vcd checking the data for accuracy. entering data into the computer, transforming data, developing and documenting a database structure that integrates the various measures. During data analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data. The study found that orphans living in institutions have resources to meet their material needs which has made possible for them to score better in class, allocate longer periods of personal study, attend school regularly, and are more assured of completing basic education. However, orphans living with families scored better where their psychosocial needs have been met, conspicuously in class participation and behaviour and being enrolled in school at the right age and time.