Socio-cultural determinants of the girl - child retention in public secondary schools in central division trans-nzoia county, Kenya

Abstract

Education is the foundation that we build upon for the rest of our lives. Education in the world is to ensure that both girls and boys from poor families enroll and complete a full course of secondary school. Educating girls is one of the strongest ways not only to improve gender equality but in promoting economic growth and health development of families, communities and nations through human development. However, statistics from United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) show around 67 million children worldwide many of them girls do not get education opportunities and achievements due to war, famine, natural disasters and corruption. The purpose of this study was to investigate the social-cultural determinants of the girl child retention in public secondary schools in Central Division, Trans-Nzoia West District in Trans-Nzoia County. The objectives of the study included: To determine to what extent FGM influence girl child retention in public secondary schools, to determine to what extent early marriages influence girl child retention in public secondary schools, to establish whether peer pressure influence girl child retention in public secondary schools, to establish whether parental attitude can influence girl child retention in public secondary schools, to determine whether domestic chores influence girl child retention in public schools. The study populations comprised of secondary school head teachers, class teachers and form four girls. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. Prior to the actual data collection, a pilot study was conducted to ascertain the reliability and validity of the instruments. The study gathered both qualitative and quantitative data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages. The summary was written, the major findings were; that indeed FGM is rampant in this community, early marriages are preventing the girls from completing their secondary education, peer pressure is also a major hindrance to retention and parental attitude towards the girl-child education. The recommendations are that, sensitization programme to be implemented to change the attitude of those practicing FGM so as to stop it. School girls who have undergone FGM should undergo intensive guiding and counseling to enable them concentrate on their studies so as to perform well academically, Parental attitude towards girl child education will change and not to be seen as if it’s a waste of money to educate girl child.