SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING DROP OUT RATE AMONG GIRLS IN PUBLIC DAY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MUKAA SUB- COUNTY, MAKUENI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The retention of the students within the education system is a great challenge to all education stakeholders. In this regard, the girl-child has been faced by the problem of dropping out from school. The study sought to find out the socio- economic factors influencing dropout rate among the girls in public day secondary schools in Mukaa Sub-County, Makueni County in Kenya. The researcher aimed at coming up with findings and recommendations which would create awareness among the administrators and policy makers from the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MOEST). This would help in formulating educational policies to minimize this problem in the future. The study was guided by the following objectives: To investigate the influence of cultural values on girls’ dropout rate from public day secondary schools, to find out the extent to which child labour influences girls’ dropout rate from public day secondary schools, to find out the extent to which poverty influences girl’s dropout rate from school the public day secondary schools and lastly to establish whether parental neglect towards education influences the dropout of girls from public day secondary schools in Mukaa Sub - County. The research used descriptive survey design. The research design is the most appropriate for investigating the dropout rate among the school going children because this type of research design allows both quantitative and qualitative methods to be used. A proportionate random sample of 6 schools was selected for the study from the 3 zones that form Mukaa Sub-County. The respondents were made up of 61 girls, 6 Form 4 class teachers and 6 principals. A minimum correlation coefficient of 0.70 was recommended for study. Data was collected through administration of questionnaires. The study found that a greater number of girls dropped out in boarding schools compared to mixed day schools, and in essence more girls who dropped out were boarders compared to the day scholars. The cultural values of early/unwanted pregnancies had a significant influence on girl child dropout from secondary schools. Child labour is a common problem in the society and it is a causal factor leading to girl students’ dropping out from school, although house chores do not have any influence on girl child dropout in the study area. Lack of school fees as a measure for poverty had an adverse effect on the girl child dropout from school. Parental neglect towards the girl child education does lead to school dropout in their school, with great parental involvement having a lesser effect on the girl child dropout compared to parents who are fairly involved. The study concludes that being in a boarding facility is related to greater dropout rate for girls compared to being a day scholar in a mixed day school; cultural values of early pregnancies and early marriages have an influence the girl child dropout; house chores are important for the children; and an increase in the extent of parental involvement is crucial for the significant reduction in the girl child dropout. This study recommends that there is need for sensitizing the local community and the girl child on the significance of education for all children; Girls should be guided to grow both academics and family duties; need for giving the girls scholarship and soliciting for their fees from various stakeholders to complete their secondary education; and parents be advised to take active involvement in children’s education.