Determinants of primary school access and participation rates in the pastoralist Turkana County, Kenya

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.