Dropout Rate Among Secondary School Girls in Ekerenyo Division of Nyamira District, Kenya

Abstract

The problem of this study was identifying factors leading to increase in dropout rate among secondary school girls in Ekerenyo Division. Despite the Kenya government's effort to avail education opportunities for all as stated in the government education policies, dropout rate among secondary school girls in Kenya has been increasing. Factors leading to this increase in Ekerenyo division have not been adequately investigated and well understood, hence hindering universal education for all in the country. The study adapted descriptive survey study design. Using stratified sampling techniques the study selected schools from boarding / day status and type of school that is, girls or mixed. From 20% of the sampled schools, an equal number of students and teachers were used in the study. Likewise all the principals / head teachers of the sampled schools were included in the study as well as the Area Education Officer (AEO), the Zonal Quality Assurance Officers (ZQASOs) in the division, chairmen Board of Governors (BOG's). PTA chairmen and local administrators (Chiefs/ Sub-Chiefs). Data was collected rising questionnaires. Descriptive statistics method was used to present and analyze data. Information from data analysis was presented in the form of frequency tables and percentages. Only form four students (from mixed and girls schools) were used as participants l or the study because they had stayed in school all the way from form one to form four. The findings revealed that there exist high dropout rate among secondary school girls in Ekerenyo division which is caused by a earlier marriages, pregnancies, domestic labour, lack of school fees, traditional attitudes, education level of parents, lack of role models, sexual harassment, teachers attitude, teaching and learning facilities, peer group influence, repetition, deaths and illness, HIV/ AIDS, indiscipline, students ability and illicit bream . Data collected from all the respondents enabled the researcher to make recommendations / suggestions on how to curb the problem of girls dropouts in secondary schools in Kenya. These includes giving more bursary to needy students, strengthening guidance and counseling in secondary schools, formulating policies to create more boarding facilities for girls, revision of the Education Act so as to allow girls who dropout to come back to school and local administrators to be more vigilant in local illicit brew rind forced marriages. The same recommendations will also create room for further research incase there is need to address the problem of the research topic (secondary school girls (dropouts) efficiently.