| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this research study was to investigate school based factors which
affect girl child participation in education in public primary schools in Tigania
Central Division, Meru County. The objectives of the study were to determine the
effect of learning materials on girl child participation in education, influence of
female teacher on girl child participation in education, effect of physical facilities
on girl child participation in education and to examine the extent to which peer
pressure affects girl child participation in education. The study reviewed literature
review based on the four objectives. The study was guided by social learning
theory. The study used descriptive survey. The target population was 32 public
primary schools with 32 head teachers 256 teachers and 981 class eight pupils.
Random sampling was used to sample 76 teachers 98 pupils 19 head teachers. The
total sample size was 193 respondents. Questionnaires for head teachers, teachers
and pupils were used in data collection. Pilot study was carried out to validate the
instruments. The researcher also consulted supervisors from the Department of
Educational Administration and Planning to make the instrument more valid.
Reliability of the instrument was tested and correlation coefficient of 0.88 for the
head teachers, 0.89 for teachers and 0.88 for the pupils was obtained. Descriptive
statistics were used to analyze data. The study established that lack of textbooks,
shortage of female teachers, lack of guidance and counseling led girls to drop
from primary school. Inadequate sanitation, toilets, classrooms and desks also
affect girl child participation in education. Negative peer pressure also negatively
influences girls participation in primary education. In the view of the conclusion
the study recommends that the government should avail sufficient resources for
buying more textbooks and for hiring and training more teachers especially
female teachers. Schools should provide more toilets, classrooms, desks and good
sanitation. Head teachers should ensure that pupils are protected from negative
peer pressure. | en_US |
