Academic performance of orphaned children affected with HIV/AIDS in regular primary schools in Naivasha central zone

Abstract

This study is a survey of the academic performance of orphaned children affected by HIV/AIDS in regular primary schools in Naivasha Central zone, Naivasha District of Rift Valley province. The researcher used quantitative approach; the design used was case study. The total population was all schools in Naivasha Central zone. The sampled schools were five and convenient sampling was used to pick the schools; systematic sampling was used to get her respondents. The instrument to be used in data collection was questionnaires sent out to teachers of the sampled primary schools. These questionnaires were later collected when they were completed. The research findings revealed the orphan children affected by HlV and AIDS, the number enrolled in regular primary schools and how they perform in their respective schools. The researcher also investigated on problems encountered by these children. The study also investigated the consequences such as drop out from schools, the challenges the children go through as they care for their sick parents before they die and the struggle they go through to work out their living after the parents' death. The researcher also found out on how the community as a whole dealt with the rights of the affected children. The study also dealt with the roles played by the community at large and their effect on these children education. The researcher also found out the attitude of the teachers towards the orphaned and the affected children in their schools. The study also investigated on the methods of teaching used by the teachers to accommodate these learners' needs for a better performance and avoidance of dropouts. Finally recommendations were put forward by both the respondents and the researcher on training in skills of handling learners affected by HIV/AIDS for both the medical and educational stakeholders. The community was sensitized to effect change in attitude towards the upbringing of children with these problems to easing their tension so as to improve their living as well as educational performance and to avoid dropouts. Thus, there is the need to subsidize, visit and direct funding for the concerned areas.