Factors influencing refugee learners transition from primary to secondary schools in Dadaab Refugee Camps, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing learner’s transition from primary schools to secondary schools in Dadaab refugee camps. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The research was carried out in the Daadab refugee camps. The target population comprised of 34 head teachers and 2500 teachers. The sample was 34 headteachers and 250 teachers. The researcher relied on self-administered questionnaires. Data were analysed by use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings revealed that pupil performance, pupil characteristics, pupil drop out, family characteristics and school based factors influence learner transition from primary to secondary school respectively. Based on the findings, the study concluded that pupil performance influenced learner transition from primary schools to secondary schools. Pupils who got low grades are likely not to transit to secondary school. Learners who failed to achieve good grades in examinations could not transit to secondary school. After discussing how performance affected pupils’ transition, attention was focused on how learner characteristics influenced transition from primary to secondary schools. The study also concluded that pupil characteristics influenced learner transition from primary to secondary. For example, most of the students failed to join secondary schools in order to assist in household chores and work to subsidize family income.. Parents influenced their children’s education. It was also concluded that family characteristics influenced learner transition from primary to secondary. For example, poverty at family level contributed to drop out of learners and reduce transition from primary to secondary school. Household chores took up children's time and hinder them from attending school, family problems prevented learners from attending classes regularly hence score low grades that would deny them opportunity to transit to secondary school. Home based problems/ challenges reduce transition rate of children from primary to secondary education. The headteachers indicated that learners left primary school to go and look for incentive jobs in the camp, pupils from poor background lacked learning materials and uniforms for secondary school education. It was also revealed that socio-cultural factors such as FGM affected transition of children from primary to secondary education. It was also concluded that school based factors such as class attendance, inadequate syllabus coverage and teachers’ qualification influenced learner transition from primary to secondary. Based on the findings, the study recommended that there is need to create conducive school environment to enhance students’ performance enabling their transition to secondary schools. . There is need to address issues that cause pupil drop out so as to enhance learner transition from primary to secondary. There is need to involve parents in the education of their children so as to minimize the family factors that hinder pupil transitions from primary to secondary. Taking the limitations and delimitations of the study, the study suggested that a study on the implementation of government policy on refugee education should be conducted. A study on factors affecting refugee pupil participation in primary schools should be conducted and lastly a study on the influence of NGO in enhancing refugee pupil participation in education.