Factors influencing girl child participation in secondary education in Nyahururu Division, Laikipia District.

Abstract

The main problem of this study is that despite the crucial role of education plays in human development, the girl child's participation in secondary education is lower than that boy in Nyahururu Division of Laikipia District. The transitional rate for girls is 48.5% while that of boys is 51.5%. Factors leading to this problem have not been adequately explored. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing girl child's participation in secondary schools in Nyahururu Division of Laikipia District. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the population size was 1534 which included teachers and girl students. A sample size of 10% was drawn for both the teachers and students from the population; a systematic sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data were collected by use of questionnaire method which had both closed and open ended questions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics including frequency tables and percentages. The findings established that both family and school related factors hinder girl child from accessing and completing secondary education. The main factors hindering secondary education were lack of school fees due to poverty, lack of moral support from family members. There was also discrimination by parent as compared to boy child. Girls are also overworked at home and therefore lack time to concentrate on studies. The other factor influencing girl-child education include teachers' poor attitude to female students which negatively affects girl-child education. The findings of the study recommend that to improve girl-child participation in secondary education, both teachers and parents should avoid gender discrimination. The girl-child should be given the opportunity to education to be able to exploit her inborn talents for self development and that of the society.