| dc.description.abstract | In Kenya adolescent girls fare poorly relative to boys in an educational system characterized by
enormous growth, deteriorating quality and rising costs. Girls are more likely to drop out of
school prematurely and are less likely to do well in primary school National exams. The study
targeted girls in primary schools in Runyenjes sub-county. A sample of 100 girls and 87 teachers
was used in the study. It sought to understand the factors that influence girls‟ participation in
school activities. The study aimed to determine the influence of lack of sanitary towels,
menstrual discomfort, cultural perspectives, pre-menstrual awareness and sanitation facilities on
girls participation in school activities.The statement of the problem was that primary school girls
do not participate fully in school activities and so the study sought to find out the factors that
influenced this. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. Questionnaires and Focus
Group Discussion (FGD) were used to get data from the girls and teachers. The target population
was girls in class 6-8 in Kathanjuri zone in Runyenjes Sub –County. A sample of 100 girls and
87 teachers were selected for the study using the stratified random sampling and the simple
random sampling was used to pick the specific girls. The data was analyzed through descriptive
statistics and tables were also used for presentation. The study revealed that none of the above
had any influence on girls participation and therefore girls have an equal opportunity just like the
boys. Sanitary towels are available to the girls at school 94.2% and also at home 91.4% and they
therefore do not have to miss school or fail to participate in school activities. Menstrual
discomforts make some girls 68.6% to stay away from participation, however in the sampled
schools the girls are assisted with pain killers 27.1% and so they are able to cope. The teachers in
the schools prepare the girls adequately 90% on what to expect and so they were not caught
unprepared when they started their periods. There are no cultural beliefs 40% that prevent girls
from participating in the school activities. The sanitation facilities in the schools are in good
condition65.7% and offer the girls the required privacy. They are also adequate 65.4% in relation
to the number of girls in the school. The study recommended that provision of sanitary towels
should be encouraged as part of good participation in school activities. Response to period pains
requires due attention aimed at enhancing girls participation. Any cultural beliefs that may exist
that could limit girls participation should be addressed by all stakeholders. The study concluded
that the lack of sanitary towels, menstrual discomfort, pre-menstrual awareness, cultural beliefs
and sanitation facilities were not factors that influenced primary school girls participation in
school activities. The study also recommended the need for girls to receive explicit, correct and
relevant information on matters of puberty and menstruation through formal and non formal.
Adequate water and sanitation facilities that are designed with privacy in mind and which are girl
friendly should be part of the school infrastructure. It also recommended the provision of
adequate underwear for the girls so as to have enough for changing so that they are free from
infections and dampness. The study gave areas for further study to be conducted in other areas of
Embu county to establish other factors that could be influencing primary school girls
participation in school activities. | en_US |
