Causes of poor K.C.P.E. performance in primary schools in Loita Division of Narok south district, Kenya
Abstract
For many years, the K.C.P.E. results of the primary schools of Loita division ofNarok South
District have been the poorest in the District and also among the poorest nationally.
The Maasai of Loita are also known for their cultural conservatism. It is against this
background that this study was carried out to examine the socio-cultural, school- related factors
and factors outside the school control that have been contributing to the poor K.C.P.E results.
The sample was made up of 89 learners, 6 head teachers, 40 teachers, 7 opmion leaders,
officers of education office and the District Education officer himself. Data was collected
through questionnaires administered on learners and interview schedules administered on head
teachers, opinion leaders and D.E.O and his officers. Focused discussion group interviews
were also used on teachers. The collected data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.
From the study, the following emerged as the major causes of the poor K.C.P.E performance:-
• Socio-cultural factors such as circumcision & moran ism, F.G.M, early marriages and
nomadic pastoralism.
• School- Related factors such as long distance to school, under staffing, lack of
learning/teaching materials and qnreliable S.F.P.
• Factors outside the school control, such as high poverty levels, inaccessibility by the
DQASO, lack of support by the provincial administration, the patrilineal system and the
general inaccessibility of the region due to the rough terrain.
In conclusion, the study makes the following recomrnendationsr-
• There is need for aggressive campaign to sensitize the community on the importance of
education for both boys and girls.
• There is need to initiate a dialogue among all the stakeholders in the division on the need
to abandon f.ftrogressive cultural practices like moran ism, prolonged rituals of initiation,
F.G.M and early marriages because they all impacted negatively on the education of both
boys and girls.
• The number of boarding schools be increased in order to solve the problem of distance to
schools and also to isolate the learners from the daily cultural influences and other related
problems.
Citation
A research project submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirement of the award of master of education in educational foundations, University of Nairobi.Publisher
Education
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5979]