Adequacy of school mechanisms in the socialization of teen mothers in secondary schools: a case of Trans-nzoia west sub-County, Trans-nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to establish the adequacy of school mechanisms in the socialization of teen mothers in secondary schools. School mechanism are factors in the school which help teen mothers to fit and cope with their schooling upon their return to school while socialization of teen mothers refers to all effort in terms of care, support, advice, encouragement, guidance and counseling, mentoring, modeling extended to teen mothers among others in schools, so as to help them to adjust and function well in school. The objective of the study was to evaluate school mechanisms used in the socialization of teen mothers in secondary schools. The study was based on the Liberal Feminist theory and adopted a descriptive design. The study was conducted in 10 out of 34 (29.4%) Sub-County secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia West Sub- County. The study population consisted of 26 teen mothers, 10 head teachers, 10 guidance and counseling masters and 20 class teachers of teen mothers in secondary schools. The Sub-County, schools and respondents were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews and document analysis. The validity and reliability of the research instruments was enhanced through a pilot study in one of the secondary schools which was not included in the study and advice of supervisors in developing the research instruments. Data collected was coded and organized to create emerging themes and later analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative data techniques. The Scientific Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) was used. The study findings revealed that school environment, teacher encouragement, guidance and counseling, acceptance by other learners, arrival and departure time, teacher parenting, attitude of the school principal and opportunity to serve were mechanisms used to socialize teen mothers in secondary schools. The study findings are crucial to the Ministry of Education, school administrators and educational planners and trainers in making policy reviews regarding the education of teen mothers in schools. The study recommended the government to acknowledge schools which support and enable a greater number of teen mothers complete their secondary education; school administrators to rally teachers to support teen mothers and communities, religious groups and other well wishers to be sensitized to support teen mother socialization in schools.