Factors affecting girl-child progression rates in primary schools in ASAL areas: a survey of West Pokot Sub County in West Pokot county Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting girl child progression rates in primary schools in west pokot Sub county of West Pokot County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of Economic, environmental as well as cultural factors on girl child progression rates in West Pokot Sub-County and extent of the effectiveness of government intervention measures to curb the challenges. The study employed the descriptive research survey design. The conceptual framework illustrated how the effects of economic, environmental and cultural factors influenced girl child primary school progression rates and the effect of government intervention measures. The target population was three tac-tutors, 51 primary school headteachers, 51 primary school management committee chairmen and 612 pupils totaling to 717. The sample was from four divisions in the sub-county with 170 primary schools. The instrument of data collection was the questionnaire. After return of questionnaires, there was data analysis and presentation by use of descriptive statistics; tables, percentages and pie charts. In conclusion results showed that the effects which were economic and cultural in nature negatively influenced girl child progression rates more that any other factors. Government stimulus and ASAL funds had less explicit affect as intervention measures. However, school feeding programme and FGM campaigns and most vulnerable children programme were more effective intervention measures in supporting girl-children education. The study recommended that the government to put emphasis on mobile schools in ASAL areas, initiate special girl child education fund as well as establishing more low cost boarding schools and put up more rescue centres in areas which were more vulnerable to girl child progression rates in primary education programme