Key Factors Influencing Primary School Enrolment and Performance of Girls Among the Gabra of North-Horr in Marsabit County

Abstract

This study investigates the factors that influence primary school enrolment and performance of girls among the Gabra of North-Horr in Marsabit County. Enrolment and performance of girls in primary schools has dramatically increased since independence. The expansion in primary school enrolment reflect policy changes which collectively represented major advances in Kenya's educational development and the strategic use of public expenditure in support of education. The improvement in national enrolment that has been noted following the free primary school education has not been evident among the Gabra of the North Horr. The objective of this study was to explore the factors that influence primary school enrolment and performance of girls among the Gabra of North Horr in Marsabit County. The study is justified on the grounds. that it will assist the Governrnent, NGOs and other stake-holders to formulate education policies that are tailor made for pastoral communities, in an effort to increase literacy among the girls. The study was guided by social learning theory and the feminist theoretical perspective. Systematic random sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used. The respondents for this study included girls in the 100 sampled households, district education officers and head teachers of primary schools. To supplement the data, the researcher conducted six focus group discussions with boys, girls and the teachers. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study findings showed that among the key factors that influence school enrolment and performance in North Horr are: early marriage, poverty, labour requirements in the family and the community attitude towards girl's education. Further, the study findings shows that girls' performance is influenced by poor school infrastructure, lack of motivation schemes for girls, inadequate boarding facilities and lack of parental involvement in girls' education. To address the gender disparity in primary school in North Horr, the study recommends that schools should sensitize parents and local leaders on the importance of the girl child education. In addition, the government should formulate policies that will address enrolment and schooling challenges. Finally, the study recommends that retrogressive cultural practices that undermine enrolment and school performance among girls should be addressed as a major priority issue.