| dc.description.abstract | Education is the foundation that we build upon for the rest of our lives. Education in the world is
to ensure that it enables children both girls and boys from poor families enroll and complete a
full course of primary school. Educating girls is one of the strongest ways not only to improve
gender quality but in promoting economic growth and health development of families ,
communities and nations through human development. However, statistics from United Nations
Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) show around 67 million children worldwide many of
them girls do not get education opportunities and achievements due to war, famine, natural
disasters and corruption. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing girls’
enrolment in public primary schools in Mumias Division, Mumias District in Kakamega County.
The objectives of the study included to establish how economic factors influence enrolment of
girls in Public primary schools , investigate how family background factors influence enrolment
of girls in public primary schools, determine how social factors influence enrolment of girls in
public primary schools, establish how cultural factors influence enrolment of girls in public
primary schools, determine how school and environmental factors influence enrolment of girls in
public primary schools. The study population comprised of primary school headteachers , class
teachers, class eight girls and parents of Mumias division, Mumias District in Kakamega county .
Three questionnaires were used to collect data and interview guidelines for parents. They were
summarized and analyzed descriptively using tables, frequencies and percentages. A pretest was
carried out in three schools randomly selected from 24 primary schools to test validity and
reliability. The study found out that a combination of factors contributed to low enrolment of girls
in public primary schools. The key factors were funding of the primary schools by the Government
of Kenya. Poverty played another role negatively. It was also evident that majority of parents and
guardians of the girl child had low economic background. It was also revealed that most parents and
guardians had not attained higher level of education. According to female respondents, the high
number of siblings was another major factor. The community should be sensitized on girl child
rights. The T.S.C needs to employ more teachers for smooth running of schools. School feeding
programme to alleviate hunger should be introduced in schools. The Government should increase
funding to cater for the essential necessities. | en |
