The effects of Female Circumcision among Maasai Girls on Academic Performance: The case of secondary schools in Loitokitok Division of Kajiado District, Kenya

Abstract

This study focused on female student attitude towards female circumcision and academic performance. It was based on Symbolic Interactionism Theory advanced by Blummer (1969) cited in Nelson, (1993). This theory emphasizes on interaction in which individuals define, interpret, and give meaning to each others‟ action in a social environment instead of merely reacting to them. A sample of 150 Form 4 female students was drawn from all secondary schools in Loitokitok Division. The researcher used a self-report questionnaire in soliciting firsthand information. In addition, students‟ common mock examination mean scores were collected from their respective schools. Data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Spearman product- moment correlation coefficient, mean, frequencies and standard deviation were used in the descriptive analysis. t-test, Chi-Square test and One Way ANOVA were used in testing the hypotheses at a significant level of .05. The findings indicate that 72% of the respondents report having undergone female circumcision. This is because female circumcision has no significant effect on female students academic performance (t = 22.117 and p = .000). The findings also revealed that age does not have any significant effect on the students‟ attitude towards the practice of female circumcision as well as effect students academic performance (χ2= .06 and p =0.054). The type of school had no significant effect on students‟ academic performance (F = .695 and P= .557). Also the type of school had no significant effect on students‟ attitude towards female circumcision (χ2 = 4.888, p= .012). Recommendations include improvement of schools infrastructure and conscious raising on the effects of female circumcisions among students, parents and guardians; education policy makers; and education development actors in the District; to the Ministry of Education, school management and non-Governmental organization