Measures to Improve Pregnant and Teenage Mothers' Participation in Secondary Education. A Case of Etago Division, Kisii County
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Date
2014-06-05
Authors
Nyakioma, I.K.
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to establish factors that contribute to teenage pregnancies,
educational challenges that these teenage mothers face and measures to improve their
participation in the school system. The study reviewed various attempts that have been
carried world over, and Kenya in particular, to ensure that education for the girl child is
improved. The study further mirrored the extend of this wastage between the year 2007
and 2010 by analyzing enrolment and performance trends of pregnant and teenage
mothers in the area of study. Information on enrolment and performance was obtained
fromthe AEOs and principals' offices. that The locale for the study was Etago division
South Gucha district. Then recommendations were given on measures to improve
participation of this vulnerable group in the school system. The study adopted a
descriptive survey design carried out in the four zones that comprise Etago division. The
target population comprised six principals, eighteen classroom teachers, five MoES&T
staff within the division, seven members from the provincial administration, ten parents
and seventy pregnant/ nursing adolescents. The entire sample size was one hundred and
sixteen respondents. Purposive sampling, convenient sampling and exploratory
descriptive survey were ideal in selecting schools depending on their status. Data
collection instruments were questionnaires, interview schedules and observation. The
questionnaires were semi-structured and contained items that are both open-ended and
closed. These questionnaires were administered on one chief, two assistant chiefs, two
zonal Quality Assurance and Standards officers, three principals, fifteen classroom
teachers, five parents and sixty pregnant/nursing adolescents. Interview schedules were
administered on the remaining respondents. The data collection instruments were pretested
on a small portion of an identical population in the neighboring Rongo district in
order to refine the instruments. The data collected were edited and analyzed qualitatively
and quantitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and inferences
drawn. After analyzing data, the findings were summarized and conclusions drawn. The
recommendations on how to improve the school participation of this vulnerable group
were made. Lastly, because the research was not carried in the entire nation, suggestions
for further research were put forward.