Impact Of Social Cultural Practices On Gender Disparity In Girls' Participation In Primary Education - Isibania Division Kuria West District, Kenya

Abstract

In spite of Kenya's national aim to achieve Education for All, basic education remains an elusive dream for many Kenyans, particularly girls in the rural areas. This study investigated the impact of social cultural practices on girls' participation in primary education in Kuria West district, Isibania division. The research also highlighted the importance of girl's education to the individual and community at large. The benefits associated with girls' education included: the reduction of child and maternal mortality, improvement of child nutrition and health, lower fertility rates, enhancement of women's domestic role and their political participation, improvement of the economic productivity and growth, and protection of girls from HIV/AIDS, abuse and exploitation. The study investigated the respondents (parents, teachers and students) view of the factors that contributed to the poor participation of girls in primary education. The research also sought the respondents view on the value of girl's education, the social cultural factors which hinder girl's participation in primary education and their suggestions for solutions to the problem. The research was carried out in 10 schools in Isibania division whereby 10 students in classes 7 and 8 were interviewed in 20 schools, 2 teachers per school, 20 parents from the division and 5 education officers. The data was and analyzed for each group according to the theme in the research questions/instruments. The findings could then be used to evaluate the effects of negative social cultural practices on girls 'participation in education especially in marginalized areas. The researcher investigated whether the perceived factors hindering girls' participation in primary education included those factors beyond personal attributes of the girls themselves: negative attitudes of the girls' parents and community's, parameters related to patriarchy such as boy-child preference, property inheritance, female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriage, and excessive girl-child labour.