Impact of cattle rustling on curriculum implementation in Tot Division of Marakwet District, Kenya
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Date
2012-02-03
Authors
Katam, Elizabeth J.
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Abstract
This study focused on the impact of insecurity on curriculum implementation in Tot Division. Insecurity here is attributed to cattle rustling menace. Despite government efforts to achieve quality education and universal primary education (UPE) by the year 2005, the objective may not be possible in Tot Division, Marakwet District due to cattle rustling. The purpose of the study, therefore, was to assess the condition of the environment and state of facilities and equipment; evaluate content coverage, performance and staffing; and determine attempts that had been made to curb cattle rustling to enhance curriculum implementation.
The study adopted descriptive survey design to elicit data. The population of the study consisted of 16 primary schools, 114 primary school teachers, 16 head teachers and one district education officer. Four schools were randomly sampled for the study. Three standard eight teachers were purposively sampled per school, namely English, Kiswahili and Mathematics teachers. Four headteachers and one District Education Officer were also purposively sampled. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, checklists and observation schedules. Data were analysed using descriptive qualitative statistics such as frequencies and percentages.
Results indicated that development of both physical and instructional materials was found to be poor in the cattle rustling hit Tot Division. This was attributed to insecurity caused by cattle rustling menace, which hindered adequate provision of educational materials by the community and the private sector. Cattle rustling had also affected student enrolment, with schools experiencing high and sudden dropout rates. Teachers' adequacies, on the other hand, were affected by desertion of duties and transfers to safer areas outside the Division. Poor educational materials and teachers' inadequacies hampered students' performances with schools registering decline in KCPE mean scores.
In order to enhance curriculum implementation in this cattle rustling area, teachers have employed various strategies such as makeshift schools in the escarpment, extending teaching-learning process during holidays and evening time. The study concluded that cattle rustling affects physical and instructional materials, which have direct effect on performance.
In line with these findings it was recommended that the government should provide adequate teaching materials, adequate security, deploy more teachers, and establish permanent schools along with the community.
Description
Department of Educational Management Policy & Curriculum Studies,102p. The LC 5144 .K3 2004
Keywords
Children of War Crimes, Education--Rural, War and Education