An investigation into the implementation of the return to school education guideline in Kenya. A case study of Embu West District, Embu County

Abstract

The Return to School education guideline that provides a chance to girls and young mothers who for some reason find themselves pregnant while in school. The research objectives were:- To investigate if school administrators, teachers and headteachers are familiar with the Return to School education guideline; To investigate if the Return to School education guideline is currently being implemented; To investigate if there are any challenges experienced in the process of implementing the Return to School education guideline and To elicit views on the Return to School education guideline. The researcher used sampling method. The researcher assembled, classified, edited and arranged the data collected. The researcher also thoroughly checked the data for completeness, consistency, accuracy and uniformity. Thereafter, the data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The analyzed data was presented using the charts, tabulations and graphs. From the data analysis and presentation:- it is clear that there is need for the return to school education guideline. Cultural practices, female genital mutilation, early marriages, poverty, child labour, finances, diseases especially HIV and AIDS play some influence on the implementation of the guideline. However, infrastructure seemed not to play any role in the implementation of the guideline. From the findings:- 60% of the respondents have an idea about the implementation of the return to school education guideline whether formerly or informally. Cultural practices have an influence on the implementation of a guideline. 73.3% believe that female genital mutilation plays a role the implementation of the return to school education guideline. Poverty that affects most families in Kenya also influences the implementation of the return to school education guideline in Kenya according to 86.6% of the respondents. 100% of the respondents believe diseases have a role to play in the implementation of the return to school education policy. 15 and 8 of the respondents say that HIV and AIDS and other lifestyle diseases play a role in the implementation of the guideline respectively. The guideline would be a reprieve to students. The Return to School Education Guideline is an important and positive effect in the life of the girl child and her education and therefore highly recommended.