Gender disparities in secondary education in Kibwezi Division-Kibwezi District Kenya

Abstract

The major problem of this study was that despite the Kenya government effort to avail education opportunities for all as stated in government education policies, gender disparity in secondary school education still persist. Factors leading to this have not been adequately addressed, investigated and well understood hence hindering universal education for all in the country. To this end the objective of the study was to determine' factors causing disparity in selected secondary school in Kibwezi Division. The study sampled schools using random sampling technique using the criteria of mixed schools. From the sample schools an equal number of students, male and female were used.

The principals of the sample schools were also included in the study as well as the area education officers in the Division. Data 'collected from all the respondents enabled the researcher to make recommendations/suggestions on how to curb the problem of gender disparity in secondary schools in Kenya. The recommendations included; building more low' cost day schools, providing bursaries for poor students, enacting government policies on child labour, putting more emphasis on girl child education, sensitizing community on importance of education, government considering to educate the first two children in the poor families and doing away with outdated cultural practices.

The same recommendations will also create room for further research in case there is peed to address the problem of the research topic gender disparity in secondary school education efficiently.