| dc.description.abstract | The study set out to establish the social, economic, cultural and peer pressure factors affecting retention of the boy child in public primary schools in Kiambu West District. The research design used was that of descriptive survey. Data was collected by means of different questionnaires administered to head teachers, teachers, pupils and an interview schedule used to the parents. The data obtained was analysed by use of computers and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results were quantified using tables showing frequencies and percentages.
The study revealed that factors influencing retention emanated from social factors, economic factors, cultural factors and peer pressure. The study also found out that the low literacy level of the parents and lack of gender parity for teachers in primary schools impacts negatively to the retention of the boy child in primary schools in that the primary school learners had very few role models and people to encourage them at home. Causing the ones in school to lose interest because there are no people to help with the homework. The study found out that boy's perception that teachers and administrators had a negative attitude when dealing with boys in primary school. Loitering in towns and villages also contribute to boys dropping out of primary school.
It was also noted by a great majority of parents and boys that peer influence especially of a successful dropout forms an image of focus for other potential dropouts, lack of employment opportunities for primary school leavers and poor remuneration for educated persons among others. These factors are economic, social, cultural in nature or predominantly economic. The study also solicited for suggestions from the respondents on the way to curb the problem of boys not completing the primary cycle. Suggestions such as creation of awareness among the parents and government policy on issues like children act be implemented and followed to the letter and parents roles in the education of their children.
The study recommends that the government should take responsibility of the hidden charges so that pupils from poor families can remain in school. Guidance and counseling should be extended to both parents and pupils so that there can be an understanding between pupils, parents and teachers on the issues of education. The government should create jobs for the educated. This would improve the standard of living of educated people and thus improving the image of educated person. The Ministry of Education was advised to change the approach in evaluating pupils. Pupils will not be graded by the results of one examination only while ignoring other previous performance. Parents were advised to have more time with their boys. Affirmative action as a way to improve retention of the boy child. This is mainly due to the pressure asserted to the boy child, where great emphasis is put on the girl child so as to meet gender parity at the expense of the boy child. | en_US |
