Influence of Socio-cultural Factors on Student Transition and Retention in Schools in Msambweni Sub-county, Kwale County, Kenya

Abstract

In this study the socio-cultural factors influence on transition of students and retention was assessed in schools in Kwale County, specifically in Msambweni sub-county, and why the secondary school enrolments do not match the primary school enrolments. The central focus in this study was to make an analysis of factors influencing rate of transition in Msambweni sub-county schools. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors which influence the transition of learners both in primary and secondary schools in Kwale County, particularly Msambweni sub-county. A descriptive survey by use of interviews and questionnaires was adopted for data collection. Data on how education transition and retention levels varied for the period 2009 to 2017 in schools in Msambweni Sub County was collected from the DEO’s office, Msambweni Sub County while data on how the factors causing education variation in transition and retention levels are related to socio-cultural factors and data on how the residents attribute varying education transition and retention levels to their socio-cultural factors was collected from teachers in randomly selected schools who were interviewed using open and closed ended questionnaires. The data analysis was done through use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study found out that the parental academic level has an influence on children academic transition and retention. The study also found out that social economic factors have an impact on children retention and transition in school. In this case, the research study found out that early marriage is one of the factors that lead to school retention since girls prefer getting married to completing their studies. The study further found out that parental income is one of the factors that affect student’s retention and transition. Therefore, the study concluded that performing poorly in KCPE, low education level of parents and unavailability of tuition fees was hindering students’ transition and retention to secondary schools. This study made recommendations that should be put in place in order to improve transition and retention levels in the Sub County that government should provide qualified teaching personnel to meet the needs of learners in order to improve KCPE performance, Sub County Education office should come up with practical