| dc.description.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. | |
