Family related factors influencing girls’ participation in primary school in Wiyumiririe resettlement camp, Laikipia county, Kenya

Abstract

There is convincing evidence that conflict increases the disadvantages associated with gender discrimination of girl-child. Resettlement of displaced families with provision of adequate education of their children is among the first mechanisms to help them cope with the new life. Post conflict education embedded with psychosocial support and coping mechanisms can make a difference tipping the balance in favour of peace. The purpose of this study was to investigate the family related factors influencing girls’ participation in primary school in Wiyumiririe resettlement camp, Laikipia County. Four objectives guided the study; influence of psycho-social support, loss of family member, separation of family and coping mechanisms on girl’s participation in primary school. The study adopted descriptive survey research design with the target population as the school girls in class 6-7, head teachers, teachers and community leaders. Two primary schools were targeted; Community and Suguroi primary schools. Purposive and census sampling methods were used to select respondents. Questionnaires and interviews guides were used to collect data. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme. Psychosocial support was very crucial in enhancing girl’s participation in education. Presence of active guidance and counseling services assisted in equipping the resettled girls with psychosocial support. Loss of a family member and separation of families were common among the resettled girls. Coping mechanisms were also important in ensuring girl’s participation in school. The study concluded that there is need to extend psychosocial support to resettled girls in Suguroi primary school to make the girls enjoy the opportunity to participate in education. There is need for guidance and counseling services to be enhanced to cater for the affected girls in the two primary schools to enable their participation in school. Loss of a family member works against girl’s participation in schooling due to grieving and trauma associated with death. There is need for the resettled girls to be accorded the necessary support by education stakeholders through psychosocial support to overcome post-conflict trauma associated with loss of a family member and fully participate in school. The study finally concluded that coping mechanisms has a contribution as a measure of participation of girls in school. This study recommends that special training for the guidance and counseling teachers should be undertaken. The study recommends for professional counseling services to equip the resettled girls participate in school. The study recommends for foster parents among the community members to inculcate parental expectations and values among the resettled girls to enable them participate in education. An area for further study is study to investigate those other factors explaining 43.8% of participation of girls in primary schools in Wiyumiririe resettlement camp since this study only explains 56.7% of the participation of resettled girls in school.