Factors influencing students' participation in secondary school education in Marti division, Isiolo district, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence student's participation in secondary school in Marti division. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study used descriptive survey. The target population of the study was the headteachers of all the 10 public secondary schools in Marti division, 100 teachers and 150 form four students. The sample comprised of 10 headteachers, 120 students and 100 teachers. The study used questionnaires for data collection. Findings revealed that parental level of education affected students participation in schools. It was also revealed that most of the parents did not encouraged their children to study. Parents did not usually come to school to discuss their academic progress. Findings on the influence of school environment on students' participation in secondary school showed that distance to and from school affected students participation in schools.

This was a hindrance especially to students in that girls coming from school from far places were sexually harassed by the morans on the way to or from school, they could be attacked by wild animals such as elephants. Findings also revealed that there were cases of frequent absenteeism because of the long distances that pupils had to walk to schools. Findings also showed that schools did not have some of the physical facilities. Findings from the teachers indicated that there were students who had dropped out due to lack of teachers. Headteachers further indicated that lack of enough teachers in the school influenced girls drop out from schools. Lack of teachers was said to contribute to truancy due to idleness which may affect learning.

Findings on the influence of availability of physical facilities on students' participation in secondary school revealed that physical facilities were inadequate. Findings on the influence of the' community around the school on students' participation in secondary school revealed that the community affected students' participation in schools. The community made drugs accessible to students hence affecting their education.

Based on the findings it was concluded that parental level of education affected students participation in schools. It was also concluded that most of the parents did not encouraged their children to study. The study also concluded that school environment affected the education of the students. The study concluded that schools did not have some of the physical facilities. Inadequate teachers influenced. poor participation of students in schools. The study also concluded that physical facilities were inadequate. The available facilities were not suitable. It was also concluded that the community affected students participation in schools for example illiterate of the parents in the community affected the education. The community made drugs accessible to students hence affecting their education Based on the findings some recommendations were made in ways of promoting education.

The government should post teachers and especially who could be role models for girls and also handle students problems. The provincial administration should enforce policies on education and protection by for example arresting parents who withdrew their children from schools or failed to take their children to school altogether. The communities around the schools should also be sensitized on the importance of education. Taking the limitations and delimitations of the study it was suggested that a study to establish the relationship between availability of teachers and students academic performance should be conducted. It was further suggested that a study to establish the relationship between headteachers and demographic characteristics and students participation in education should be conducted. Lastly a study to determine the effect of cultural orientation and academic performance should be conducted.