Level of Attainment of the Second Millennium Development Goal on Education at Primary Schools in Homa-bay County, Kenya

Abstract

This study was aimed at finding out the level of attainment of the second millennium development goal in education at primary schools in Homa-Bay sub-county in Homa-Bay county, Kenya. The objectives were as follows; to determine the enrollment rates, by gender, of pupils in primary schools in relation to the second MDG threshold in Homa-Bay sub-county, to determine the overall enrollment rate of pupils in primary schools in relation to the second MDG threshold., to calculate the weighted average cohort retention rates of pupils at standard 5 from 2010 to 2015 in public primary schools compared to the second MDG target as well as to examine the available educational resources in primary schools needed to achieve second MDG. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The study targeted all the 142 public primary schools in Homa-Bay sub-county. The sampling technique that was used in this study was cluster random sampling in which schools were first of all categorized into four political administrative or wards (clusters) made up of Arujo ward, Homa-Bay Central ward, Homa-Bay West ward and Homa-Bay East ward. The study utilized both primary and secondary data. Primary data was gathered through questionnaires, while secondary data was obtained from published documents and materials including journals, periodicals, magazines and published reports. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Data was then presented using tables and figures. Major finding was that there are large disparities still evident in primary schools in terms of enrollment and retention and the poorest and most disadvantaged children such as girls bore the heaviest burden of being left out of school enrollments. The study concluded that Homa-Bay sub-county has not fully attained the second millennium development goal on education at primary schools. Major recommendation were that the county government of Homa-Bay should implement the MDG policy requirements and promote incentives such as free lunch, uniforms, free text books and transportation to encourage school enrolment and retention rates and to adopt strategies that will continue to ensure that children enroll and stay in schools, especially in poverty-stricken areas within the sub-county.