Factors influencing refugee learners transition from primary to secondary schools in Dadaab Refugee Camps, Kenya.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing learner’s transition from
primary schools to secondary schools in Dadaab refugee camps. Five research questions were
formulated to guide the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The
research was carried out in the Daadab refugee camps. The target population comprised of 34
head teachers and 2500 teachers. The sample was 34 headteachers and 250 teachers. The
researcher relied on self-administered questionnaires. Data were analysed by use of qualitative
and quantitative techniques. Findings revealed that pupil performance, pupil characteristics,
pupil drop out, family characteristics and school based factors influence learner transition from
primary to secondary school respectively. Based on the findings, the study concluded that pupil
performance influenced learner transition from primary schools to secondary schools. Pupils
who got low grades are likely not to transit to secondary school. Learners who failed to achieve
good grades in examinations could not transit to secondary school. After discussing how
performance affected pupils’ transition, attention was focused on how learner characteristics
influenced transition from primary to secondary schools. The study also concluded that pupil
characteristics influenced learner transition from primary to secondary. For example, most of
the students failed to join secondary schools in order to assist in household chores and work to
subsidize family income.. Parents influenced their children’s education. It was also concluded
that family characteristics influenced learner transition from primary to secondary. For example,
poverty at family level contributed to drop out of learners and reduce transition from primary to
secondary school. Household chores took up children's time and hinder them from attending
school, family problems prevented learners from attending classes regularly hence score low
grades that would deny them opportunity to transit to secondary school. Home based problems/
challenges reduce transition rate of children from primary to secondary education. The
headteachers indicated that learners left primary school to go and look for incentive jobs in the
camp, pupils from poor background lacked learning materials and uniforms for secondary
school education. It was also revealed that socio-cultural factors such as FGM affected
transition of children from primary to secondary education. It was also concluded that school
based factors such as class attendance, inadequate syllabus coverage and teachers’ qualification
influenced learner transition from primary to secondary. Based on the findings, the study
recommended that there is need to create conducive school environment to enhance students’
performance enabling their transition to secondary schools. . There is need to address issues that
cause pupil drop out so as to enhance learner transition from primary to secondary. There is
need to involve parents in the education of their children so as to minimize the family factors
that hinder pupil transitions from primary to secondary. Taking the limitations and
delimitations of the study, the study suggested that a study on the implementation of
government policy on refugee education should be conducted. A study on factors affecting
refugee pupil participation in primary schools should be conducted and lastly a study on the
influence of NGO in enhancing refugee pupil participation in education.
Citation
Dagane,M.D.,2013.Factors Influencing Refugee Learners Transition From Primary To Secondary Schools In Dadaab Refugee Camps, Kenya.Publisher
University of Nairobi College Of Education And External Studies
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]