Home Based Factors Influencing Pupils’ Participation In Primary School Education In Athi River District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of influence of home based factors on learner participation in primary school education in Athi river District. Four research objectives were formulated to guide the study namely; to determine the extent to which parental level of education affects participation of pupils in primary schools in Athi river district; to establish the influence of household size on participation of pupils in primary schools in Athi river district; to assess the extent to which home environment affects participation of pupils in primary schools in Athi river district and to explore possible intervention measures that need to be put in place to curb low participation of pupils in primary schools by the school management in Athi river district. Four Research questions guided the study namely; to what extent does parental level of education affect participation of pupils in public primary schools; how does the household size affect participation of pupils in public primary schools; to what extent does home environment affect participation of pupils in public primary schools and what are possible intervention measures towards reducing low participation of pupils in public primary schools. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design to find out homebased factors influencing pupils’ participation in primary education in Athi river district. The sample comprised of 280 pupils and 32 teachers. Data collected by use of questionnaires. Data was analyzed by use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings revealed that parental level of education affected participation of pupils in primary schools. The findings indicate that there were a relatively large number of pupils whose parents had primary level of education. Majority (80.0%) of teachers indicated that parental level of education affects pupils’ participation in primary schools. Findings further revealed that household size affected participation of pupils in primary schools in Athi river district. Pupils indicated there were cases where parents educate the firstborns. There were also cases where families had large number of pupils. The study revealed that home environment affected pupils’ participation in primary schools. Pupils could also miss out school to help their parents in domestic chores. There is need to empower parents on the knowledge of importance of education so that they can play an important role in the education of their children. There is need to educate families on the importance of having a manageable number of children that they are able to support so as children have a right to education and are not left out of school. There is need for the government to empower power families so as the can let their children attend schools without having to leave or miss out school to participate in funding for the family. The study suggested that a study on the influence of economic status of the family on pupils’ participation in schools be conducted. It was also suggested that a study on the influence of pupils’ characteristics on their participation in schools and a study on the influence of free primary education on pupils’ access to education should be conducted.