An investigation of the causes and approaches used in the management of truancy: a case of Nyamira North District, Nyamira County
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Date
2013-03-08
Authors
Moriasi, Joseph Aroni
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Abstract
The study sought to investigate the causes and approaches used in the management of
truancy in Nyamira North district in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific
objectives: (i) to establish the school related causes of truancy in secondary schools in
Nyamira North district; (ii) to determine home related causes of truancy in secondary schools
in Nyamira North district; and (iii) to establish the approaches used in the management of
truancy in secondary schools in Nyamira North district. Literature review on truancy was
undertaken in order to eliminate duplication of what has been done and provide a bridge and
clear understanding of existing knowledge base in the problem area. The literature review is
based on authoritative, recent, and original sources such as journals, books, thesis and
academic projects. A descriptive survey was used to undertake the study. The method
permits gathering of data from the respondents in natural settings. A census of 36 secondary
schools in Nyamira North District was undertaken. In order to obtain data from the students,
stratified random sampling was used, where by in each school, forms 1, 2, 3 and 4 were each
represented by 8 students, selected at random. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to
collect primary data from the Principals of secondary schools in Nyamira North District.
Content analysis was employed for data pertaining to the profile of the respondents while
data pertaining to the objectives of the study was analyzed by employing descriptive
statistics. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in data entry and analysis.
The study findings showed that even though the main causes of truancy vary from study to
study, a combination of home, school and individual factors may be involved. The main
causal factors of truancy include individual factors, institutional factors, and family
backgrounds and community factors. The findings also show that the approaches used in the
management of truancy in schools may be categorized into the following: personal traits,
school aspects, community aspects and others. In view of the findings, the following
recommendations were made: there is need for the management of schools to accord the
students opportunities for connection and social bonding; there is need for the management
of schools to emphasize students' commitment in schools; the management of schools should
endeavor to involve students in as many school activities as possible, including day-to-day
management of the schools; and belief and values should be emphasized as they are often not
formally written but serve as the moral conscience of the society that determines right from wrong.