The Effects of Miraa Production and Trade on Secondary Education in Kiritiri and Kianjiru zones, Embu county

Abstract

In Kenya miraa is of prime economic importance as it feeds a ever-growing national and international market. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of miraa production and trade on secondary education in Kiritiri and Kianjiru zones. The objectives of this study were to find out the extent to wish miraa production and trade has affected secondary education in terms of enrolment, KCSE performance, retention and expansion. The study was guided by Merton's structural strain theory which states that deviant behaviour is the natural outgrowth of values, norms and structures in society. It adopted the survey design. The study was conducted in miraa growing zones of Kiritiri and Kianjiru. The total target population was all the students in the public secondary schools in the two zones, the head teachers and the class teachers. There are 10 head teachers, 58 class teachers and 852 students in the two zones which adds up to a total target population of 920. Purposive sampling techniques was used. All the ten secondary schools were included in the sample. Class teachers were sampled as follows; 8 from boarding schools, 12 from mixed day and boarding schools and 8 from mixed day schools. A total of 25 students in forms 2, 3 and 4 and from each school were selected for the study. The total sample was 288 respondents. Two research instruments were used to collect data; questionnaires and interview schedules. Piloting was done in one secondary school. Reliability of the instruments was done through test-retest method. Validity of the instruments was done through expert judgment of my supervisors at Kenyatta University. Qualitative data.was organized into themes, categories and patterns relevant to the study. Quantitative data was coded and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The results were presented using descriptive statistics such as percentages, means and frequency distribution tables. Miraa has boosted the standards of living of the people in the region making them lead decent lives. Miraa has also negatively affected education in that many youths have dropped out of school. The study recommends that the government should initiate programmes and policies as regards miraa trade and production. Similarly churches and NGOs should carry out elaborate campaigns to sensitize the community on pros and the.cons of miraa chewing and should also initiate the introduction of other alternative cash crops. The study recommends further investigation on social-cultrual and economic lives of the people in the region.