Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Article Title:
Community and School Factors Contributing to Female Students Dropouts in Public Mixed-day Secondary Schools in Mathioya District, Kenya
by Kibugi Humphrey W., Cheserek Grace J., Murgor Florence A., Mutwol Lawrence K.

Abstract:
This study objective was to investigate and identify the factors that contribute to female students drop out in mixed day secondary schools in Mathioya district. The purpose of the research was to come up with findings that are likely to create awareness to the administration in formulating and implementing educational policies that may minimize this problem. The importance of the study is to understand the challenges facing female students and how these can be resolved. The study was guided by feminist theory by utilizing social feminism ideology. Stratified random sampling method was used to select eight head teachers and two hundred and forty girls who participated in the study by filling pre determined questionnaires provided for each participant. Questionnaires were of two categories, one for head teachers and the other for students. Data obtained from scheduled questionnaires were coded, computed, analysed and summarized using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and mean. The study established that poverty, gender bias in schools and at home, lack of guidance and counselling on sexuality, pregnancies and indiscipline are the major factors that cause school dropout for girls. The study recommended the government, education stakeholders and community to implement existing laws and policies that enhance girl?s education for high completion rates of secondary education.

Keywords: girls' education, female students' performance, gender disparity, girl child transition, culture and education.

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