Community based factors influencing participation of girls in public secondary schools education in Msambweni district, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the community based factors that influence girl child participation in education in public secondary schools in Msambweni district. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study factors influencing the enrolment of girls in pubic secondary school in Msambweni District, socio cultural factors influencing participation of girls in Education, the student home background and how it influence participation of girls in Education, community perception towards girls education and how it influence participation of girls in secondary education and how parental factors influenced participation of girls in education.

The study employed descriptive survey. The sample size for the study was 15 headteacher 120, class teachers and 291 form four students in 15 public secondary schools piloting was carried out in two schools in the district, but which were not used in the final study. Test - retest technique was employed. The research permit was obtained from National Council for Science and Technology made collection of data easy. Questionnaires were taken to the 15 public secondary schools administered and collected personally for data analysis. The analysis was done using statistical package for social SCIences (S.P.S.S) software for windows.

Correlation co-efficient of 0.823, 0.7983 and 0.823 were realized for headteachers, teachers and student questionnaires respectively. In the light of the research findings the researcher wishes to make the following recommendations, to the Ministry of Education to sensitize the parents on the importance of education of their daughters. Put up more boarding schools in Msambweni district where girls can earn without interference from the community. The community be encourage to shun early marriages and FGM.