| dc.description.abstract | The basis of this research was to investigate the determinants of school girls‟ dropout in public secondary schools in Kisumu West Sub-county, Kenya. The objectives of the research was to: evaluate the influence of guidance and counseling related factors, economic status of the family, wife inheritance and peer group on girls‟ dropout. The study was guided by the theory of planned behavior developed by Icek Ajen in 1985. Descriptive survey design was adopted where target population constituted 3,740 girls, 32 Departmental heads of Guidance and Counseling in 32 schools (28 mixed public and 4 girl schools) and 32 principals. Simple stratified random sampling was used. 11 schools and their principals, 11 head of departments-guidance and counseling and 382 students were selected. The researcher used questionnaires and interview schedule to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics tools such frequency distribution tables. Qualitative data were analyzed by synthesizing the information from respondents and the information arranged thematically in line with the objectives of the study. The study revealed that majority guidance and counseling department was less effective and this made some to stop going for counseling because their problems were not solve and this caused some to dropout. Drop out cases were high in families with low income level. Wife inheritance had an influence on girls‟ drop out as majority of girls dropped out of school. Girls were swayed by their peers to stay not in attendance from school as more dropped out of school especially those with friends who are anti-social. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that; guidance and counseling department were less effective and this made some to stop going for counseling because their problems were not solve and this caused some to dropout. Level of income had a key role to play in continuity of girl child education in secondary schools. Wife inheritance had an impact on girls‟ drop out as majority of girls were possible to leave school if they experience conflict at home. Many girls were at risky situation of dropping out of school due to wife inheritance and related factors. Girls with friends who had dropped out were more probable to drop out of school particularly those with unsociable friends. Recommendations; Guidance and counseling department should work in support with teachers and parents to identify and counsel likely dropouts in effective manner. Schools should establish guidance, counseling, personal and academic guidance plans that help to keep girls in school. Girls from less privileged families should be identified and offer financial support in their education life. Learners should be involved in co-curricular activities which assist to keep them far away from awful influences and concentrate on school. Suggestions for further studies have also been given which include; the same study should be done in other areas to establish other factors leading to girls‟ school dropout. A study on how female students in secondary school respond to guidance and counseling. | en_US |
