Influence of conflict related factors on provision of quality education for pastoralist learners in public secondary schools, Marigat sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to find out the influence of conflict related factors on provision of quality education for pastoralist learners in public secondary schools, marigat sub-county, Kenya. The researcher formulated study objectives with main objective being to find out the influence of conflict related factors on provision of quality education for pastoralist learners in marigat sub-county Baringo Kenya. The goal was to identify the effects of physical displacement, destruction of school infrastructure, loss of sources of livelihood and loss of parents /guardians on the quality of education in the area and the measures taken to curb the conflict and improve on quality of education .Research questions were derived from the specific objectives and were later used to come up with questions for the questionnaires .The study was guided by Redekop‟s peace building theory which stipulates that deep rooted conflict is about identity .The study used descriptive survey design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches .This is because it intended to avail useful detailed information on the influence of conflict related factors on provision of quality education for pastoralist learners in Marigat sub-county. The researchers used questionnaires to collect data which were designed for the different groups of sample representatives‟ .The study established that conflict related factors such as physical displacements of families, destruction of school infrastructure, and loss of sources of livelihoods and loss of parents /guardians contributed to high dropout rates ,low retention and irregular attendance and consequently low quality education. Teachers also sought for transfers and were immediately replaced hence affecting the teacher pupil ratio .Families lost their livelihood leading to high levels of poverty .Learners become breadwinners due to loss of parents /guardians and attended schools irregularly .This denied learners a chance to acquire quality education in Marigat sub-county ,Baringo Kenya ,cattle rustling made parents lose their sources of livelihood .The study made the recommendation that in order to improve on the quality of education in the area the government in partnership with non-governmental organizations and community leaders should hold discussions in order to sensitize the community members on the negative effect of conflict on education They should also set up boarding schools in the volatile areas to avoid disruptions of learners and also set up police posts near the area to beef up security for learners .Government should also ensure that they deal with the black markets for the cattle to make sure that the bandits do not sell the cattle gotten through rustling .The teachers employer should also replace the displaced teachers in order to bridge the gap on teacher pupil ratio