Headteachers’ strategies in curbing drop out in public primary schools in Kuria East District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate head teachers’ strategies in curbing drop out in public primary Schools in Kuria East District, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine the extent to which head teachers’ involvement of parents in school management, use of guidance and counseling, pupils’ involvement in school decision making to curb pupils dropout in primary schools as well examining the challenges faced by head teachers’ in curbing pupils drop out in Kuria East District. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The target population consisted of 4770 pupils in class eight and 57 head teachers, 278 class eight teachers. Simple random sampling was used to sample the schools. The sample comprised 35 head teachers, 70 teachers and 500 pupils. The researcher used questionnaires for the 35 head teachers and 70 teachers and 70focus group discussion (FGD) with seven pupils per group. Slightly above half (53.3%) of the head teachers indicted that parents in their schools bought supplementary books for their children. Majority of the head teachers (93.3%) indicated that parents meetings were attended good and fairly good. The study also revealed that majority of the head teachers (83.3%) indicated that parents cooperated in case of indiscipline among pupils. The majority of the head teachers (83.3%) indicated that they allowed pupils time to suggest what should be done to them. The study also revealed that the pupils lacked role models since there are few female teachers (25.0%) within xiv their schools. The remedies, majority of the head teachers (86.7%) indicated that they encouraged parents to participate in their children education. The following conclusions were made that parents cooperated in case of indiscipline among pupils and the problems of pupils should be discussed openly. Head teachers used corporal punishment although the teachers disagree with its use. Head teachers noted that participation of pupils in athletics and sports had an effect on dropout rate. The head teachers noted that pupils especially girls lacked role models since there were few female teachers within their schools. The remedies as indicated by the head teachers were encouraging parents to participate in their children’s education and creating awareness on the importance of education for both girls and boys. The following recommendations were drawn there is need to encourage parents to buy their children supplementary materials. There is need to create a conducive environment for learning to curb drop out. Corporal punishment was abolished in all schools hence head teachers should replace this by implementation of guidance and counseling in schools through skilled teacher counsellors. There is need for role models in all schools by having more female teachers. Suggestion for further researcher include a similar study should be carried out in other parts of the counties on headteachers strategies in curbing drop out in public primary schools; a study on school climate in the area should be conducted to establish factors that encourage pupils to drop out of school and a study on corporal punishment within the district should be establish whether head teachers in this area still use it