| dc.description.abstract | There is convincing evidence that conflict increases the disadvantages
associated with gender discrimination of girl-child. Resettlement of displaced
families with provision of adequate education of their children is among the
first mechanisms to help them cope with the new life. Post conflict education
embedded with psychosocial support and coping mechanisms can make a
difference tipping the balance in favour of peace. The purpose of this study was
to investigate the family related factors influencing girls’ participation in
primary school in Wiyumiririe resettlement camp, Laikipia County. Four
objectives guided the study; influence of psycho-social support, loss of family
member, separation of family and coping mechanisms on girl’s participation in
primary school. The study adopted descriptive survey research design with the
target population as the school girls in class 6-7, head teachers, teachers and
community leaders. Two primary schools were targeted; Community and
Suguroi primary schools. Purposive and census sampling methods were used to
select respondents. Questionnaires and interviews guides were used to collect
data. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) programme. Psychosocial support was very crucial in enhancing girl’s
participation in education. Presence of active guidance and counseling services
assisted in equipping the resettled girls with psychosocial support. Loss of a
family member and separation of families were common among the resettled
girls. Coping mechanisms were also important in ensuring girl’s participation
in school. The study concluded that there is need to extend psychosocial
support to resettled girls in Suguroi primary school to make the girls enjoy the
opportunity to participate in education. There is need for guidance and
counseling services to be enhanced to cater for the affected girls in the two
primary schools to enable their participation in school. Loss of a family
member works against girl’s participation in schooling due to grieving and
trauma associated with death. There is need for the resettled girls to be
accorded the necessary support by education stakeholders through psychosocial
support to overcome post-conflict trauma associated with loss of a family
member and fully participate in school. The study finally concluded that coping
mechanisms has a contribution as a measure of participation of girls in school.
This study recommends that special training for the guidance and counseling
teachers should be undertaken. The study recommends for professional
counseling services to equip the resettled girls participate in school. The study
recommends for foster parents among the community members to inculcate
parental expectations and values among the resettled girls to enable them
participate in education. An area for further study is study to investigate those
other factors explaining 43.8% of participation of girls in primary schools in
Wiyumiririe resettlement camp since this study only explains 56.7% of the
participation of resettled girls in school. | en_US |
