| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the access and
participation of pupils to primary education in Mau water catchment area. This region
has experienced displacement of people as a result of conservation efforts by
government. The specific objectives of this study was to assess how school related
factors including teacher related factors, security factors affect access and
participation of primary school children in Mau forest region. The study employed an
exploratory survey research design and targeted the three head teachers and 915
pupils displaced from the Mau water catchment area. A sample of all 3 head teachers
and 180 pupils were selected to participate in the study. The research employed the
use of the questionnaires and interview schedule as the main data collection
instruments. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and
presented in tables. The study found that the school factors such as presence
textbooks, writing materials, classroom area, the frequency of teachers involving the
learners in learning activities has an effect on the pupils’ access and participation in
education. The results obtained showed at least 59% of the respondents left their
former schools because their parents decided so. Over 67% of the respondents were
happy with the learning at their school.Security issues also affected participation of
primary school children. The results also showed that 23.6% of the respondents said
that they have been absent from school whereby 9 respondents reported they were
insecure because they had been displaced from Mau forest.Parents’ support was found
to be highly inadequate hence influenced access and participation in primary
education. The parents and guardians play a very significant role in curbing the
absenteeism of their children from school. The results showed that at least 41% of the
respondents said that they were absent from school because of work at home given by
their parents The study recommended that the government should increase funding so
that schools within Mau forest can purchase school resources such as textbooks,
writing materials; improve classroom area and facilities for co-curricular activities
such as football, netball, athletics, handball, and drama and music festival. The study
revealed that atleast 52% of the respondents were happy with the way teachers taught
them The government should empower the parents and guardians of children within
Mau forest region economically to reduce child labor as well as introduce school
feeding programme so that children room poor backgrounds are more motivated to
attend school and as a way of reducing absenteeism. Further a study should be carried
out to establish the effect of the cultural practices on the access and participation of
the pupils to school activities among displaced people. | en_US |
