dc.description.abstract | This study investigates the factors that influence primary school enrolment and performance of
girls among the Gabra of North-Horr in Marsabit County. Enrolment and performance of girls in
primary schools has dramatically increased since independence. The expansion in primary school
enrolment reflect policy changes which collectively represented major advances in Kenya's
educational development and the strategic use of public expenditure in support of education. The
improvement in national enrolment that has been noted following the free primary school
education has not been evident among the Gabra of the North Horr.
The objective of this study was to explore the factors that influence primary school enrolment
and performance of girls among the Gabra of North Horr in Marsabit County. The study is
justified on the grounds. that it will assist the Governrnent, NGOs and other stake-holders to
formulate education policies that are tailor made for pastoral communities, in an effort to
increase literacy among the girls. The study was guided by social learning theory and the
feminist theoretical perspective. Systematic random sampling, simple random sampling and
purposive sampling techniques were used. The respondents for this study included girls in the
100 sampled households, district education officers and head teachers of primary schools. To
supplement the data, the researcher conducted six focus group discussions with boys, girls and
the teachers. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
The study findings showed that among the key factors that influence school enrolment and
performance in North Horr are: early marriage, poverty, labour requirements in the family and
the community attitude towards girl's education. Further, the study findings shows that girls'
performance is influenced by poor school infrastructure, lack of motivation schemes for girls,
inadequate boarding facilities and lack of parental involvement in girls' education. To address
the gender disparity in primary school in North Horr, the study recommends that schools should
sensitize parents and local leaders on the importance of the girl child education. In addition, the
government should formulate policies that will address enrolment and schooling challenges.
Finally, the study recommends that retrogressive cultural practices that undermine enrolment and
school performance among girls should be addressed as a major priority issue. | en_US |