| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting participation of girls in secondary school in Nyatike Division of Migori District. Five research question were formulated to guide the study. Literature review focused on international call towards education for girls, access of education among girls, barriers towards education of girls which include economic factors, cultural factors, school based factors, parental related factors and general community. The study used the descriptive survey design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sample for the study was 12 headteachers and 350 students. Data was collected by use of questionnaires. Findings revealed that there were sociocultural factors that contributed to low participation of girls in school. These factors included early marriages, helping at housework and taking care of other family members, preference in education of boys than girls, cultural beliefs, initiation into adulthood among others. It was also revealed that there were parental factors which contributed to low participation of girls in school. These included parental level of education, parents not coming to school to discuss their children progress, lack of parental support and parental involvement in their children's education. Findings also revealed that socioeconomic factors contributed to low participation of girls in school. It was found out that parents were not able to pay school fees, girls did not have the basic necessities which made them not come to school. There were also school based factors such as inadequate facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, conflict between teachers and students, unhealthy relationship between teachers and students, and lack of role models for girls in the schools that contributed to low participation of girls in secondary school.
Based on the findings it was concluded that low participation was attributed to several factors which ranged from socio economic, cultural school based and parental related factors. The study concluded that cultural factors were responsible for the low participation in school. It was also concluded that socio economic factors led to low participation of girls in school. The study also concluded that parental factors such as parental level of education, lack of parental participation in the education of girls, lack of provision of basic necessities were some of the factors that led to low participation of girls in school. The study also concluded that school related factors and student related factors such as truancy, indiscipline contributed to low participation of girls in school.
Based on the findings it was recommended that there is need to empower the community on the need for education of girls so that girls do not miss out school because of cultural factors. It was also recommended that there is need for the government to provide physical facilities, employ more teaches to curb the school based factors that contributed to low participation of girls in school. There is need to provide role models to girls, hold seminars and workshop so as to encourage them attend school.
Taking the limitations and delimitations of the study, the researcher suggested a study on assessment of the implications of current policies on the education of the girl child. Another study on the effects of free secondary education on participation of girls in school should be conducted and lastly a study on effect of teacher demographics on participation of girls in secondary schools should be conducted. | en_US |
