Socio-cultural Factors Influencing Girl Child Transition Into Secondary School in Bomet Central Sub - County, Bomet County, Kenya
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing this low transition
rate of the girl child into secondary school in Bomet County. The research
objectives were to determine the extent to which female genital cutting, early
marriages and preference for the boy child influence girl child transition rate to
secondary school in the study area. Questionnaires and interview guides were used
to collect data from sampled participants. Findings from the study indicate that girl
child transition into secondary school is influenced by the belief that after female
genital cutting, girls are ready for marriage and that early marriage among girls is
triggered by the belief that they should get married immediately after puberty. In
addition, the belief that educating a girl child is a waste of resources was
found to be common in the study area. The study also revealed that the tradition
of boy child being given preference in education was prevalent and has greatly
influenced girl child transition into secondary school. It can, therefore be
concluded that socio- cultural factors impose fundamental challenges to tile
advancement of girl child in education in Bomet County. In particular, FGC, early
marriages and the preference for the boy child have a negative effect in the
advancement of girls in the education sphere. From the study it is recommended
the government work closely with civil society groups and NGOs to advocate
against the practice of socio-cultural practices and create awareness to the entire
community about the negative effects of the practices.
Citation
Master Of Arts In Gender And Development Studies, University Of Nairobi, 2013Publisher
Universty of Nairobi