Abstract:
The status of education in Turkana County is typica
l of all the ASAL counties of Kenya characterised b
y
low enrolments levels, high dropout rates and poor
infrastructural development. This study was
undertaken to determine factors that could enhance
pupils’ access and participation in primary school
education in Kakuma and Lokichoggio divisions of Tu
rkana County in north western Kenya. The
purpose of the study was to find out the factors th
at enhance pupils’ access and participation in
primary school education in Turkana County, using K
akuma and Lokichogio divisions. The two
divisions’ nine schools were randomly selected to f
orm the sample population for the study. The
research study employed the descriptive survey desi
gn. The data collection instruments utilised
included questionnaires administered to head teache
rs and teachers, focus group discussions
conducted for pupils and parents and interview guid
es used for the key informants and head teachers.
The data collected was analysed using descriptive s
tatistics. Qualitative data was analysed and
presented as respondents’ opinions on the status of
education access and participation in the area of
study. The study revealed that provision of securit
y, establishment of boarding schools, adequate
provision of food to schools, good school infrastru
ctural development, availability of teachers and
learning materials were the strongest factors that
enhance access and participation in primary school
education in the area of study. This study recommen
ds that more boarding schools be established in
Turkana County. Adequate supply of food to all scho
ols and creation of feeder schools in the very
interior nomadic pastoralist areas will enhance acc
ess and participation to education. Enough teachers
should also be posted to the area.