A Study Of The Links Between Primary School Boys’ Circumcision And Academic Performance In Gatanga Division, Kenya

Abstract

This was a study of the links between School Boys’ Circumcision and Academic Performance. The research sought to establish if there were any links between Primary School Boys’ Circumcision and KCPE Performance in Gatanga Division, Kenya. Primary Schools in Gatanga Division had successively recorded declining performance in KCPE. The dismal performance has been a major concern among parents, teachers, educationists, public administrators and the general stakeholders in the education sector. The poor performance had over time been attributed to circumcision prior and close to the KCPE examinations. Preferably and advisably, boy circumcision should take place after completion of standard eight and before transition to form one. Boy circumcision results to drastic behavioral changes. This problem was a motivation to carry out this study to examine of any links between Primary School Boys’ Circumcision and KCPE Performance. The research used a quasi-experimental design that uses a non-equivalent pretest - posttest control group design without randomization. A sample of five public primary schools was studied to represent a total population of forty seven primary schools in Gatanga Division. Data collection was through document analysis, recording and key informant interviews. The data collected was analyzed results presented in percentages and frequencies and decision-making criteria done using Chi-Square Test of Independence at the critical^alj^ha of 0.05 significance level and a Pearson’s Correlation test. The study found out that there is a significant difference between the academic performances of circumcised and uncircumcised boys. It concluded that boys who were circumcised performed poorly as compared to those who are uncircumcised. The research recommended offering guidance and counseling to both boys and parents as it emerged to be an imperative solution to future improvement of boys’ performances according to the respondents. Setting a sustainable timing for circumcision that will not affect the academic performance of the boys was also recommended.