Participation in primary education curriculum in north Pokot District, West Pokot County

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of circumcision on girl child school participation and educational standards of girls in North Pokot District, West Pokot County through desktop data review and interviews. North Pokot for instance has no middle level college but only one vocational training centre and one youth centre in Kodich and Alale trading center respectively. The number of secondary schools is five and primary 73 while the ECD which is the most important is eighty three in number. Despite this achievement; the illiteracy level is above par standing at 48% at the same time the infrastructure available cannot accommodate the local population. And in education equity the most pressing issues touches on girl child since most of the locals still practice Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) early and forced marriage as well as child labor. The literature reviewed focuses on education of girls, cultural practices such as family set up and beliefs, initiation and early marriage, attitude of parents towards education of girls, domestic labor, gender roles in society and family economic status. The data analysis, presentation, interpretation and discussion of the findings of this study is focused and is divided into the following sections: General characteristics of the respondents; the effect of circumcision of girl’s school participation This study is aware that there are other underlying factors affecting education equally but mostly convinced that circumcision was the only key factor in the decimal performance of girls in school participation and especially at primary level This study wishes to recommend a study on the alternative rite of passage in order to enrich it and broaden it to taken into considerations conservation of good, culture and enhance good community values. This study would provide meaningful insights that can be shared with circumcision advocates and still maintain community harmony Finally, the study evaluates school performance and draws lessons and best practices borrowing heavily from success stories from other communities.