Effects of availability and conditions of School Sanitation facilities on Girl Child participation and retention in Public Primary Schools in Kericho Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Publicprimary schools in Kenya generally experience high population enrolments because of free primary education, the study focused on effects of school sanitation facilities on girl child participationand retention in public primary schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of availability and conditions of school sanitation facilities on girl child participation and retention in public primary schools in Kericho municipality. The objectives of the study were to determine the availability, adequacy, accessibility, state and conditions of sanitation facilities and their effects on the girl child participation and retention. The conceptual framework of the study showed the relationship between school sanitation factors that affect retention and participation of the girl child. The study found out that although most schools have some sort of sanitary facilities, they are inadequate, poor, dirty, dilapidated with broken doors, often not functional and 73.7% adolescent girls didn't visit them particularly during their heavy days. The government, NGOs, school administration and all the stakeholders and well-wishers should provide more sanitary units for girls to the ratio of 1:25, conduct civic education to girl's parents and ensure adequate water supply to improve state and conditions of these facilities. The study used survey design (expost facto) to assess what has happened before to collect data. The target population of the study encompassed 330 standard six, seven and eight girls, 11 head teachers and 55 teachers of 11 public primary schools. The researcher used stratified random sampling techniques because the population was categorized into girls, teachers and the Head teachers. The study used questionnaire, observation and interviews as the instruments of collecting data. It used both qualitative and quantitative methodology. Descriptive statistics such as tables, percentage and frequencies were used to analyse the data collected. The outcome of the study will be used in making appropriate recommendations to the D. E. O's office on the formulation of policies governing school sanitation and improvement of school inspection of sanitation facilities not only in Kericho municipality schools but Kenya as a whole.