Hindrances to pupils’ access and participation in primary school education in Kakuma and Lokichoggio divisions, Turkana county

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate pupils’ ac cess and participation challenges in primary school education in Kakuma and Lokichoggio divisions of Tu rkana County in North Western Kenya. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors tha t hinder pupils’ access and participation in primar y school education in Turkana County, using Kakuma an d Lokichoggio divisions as case study. 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 utilized included questionnaires administered to head teache rs and teachers, focus group discussions conducted for pupils and parents and interview guid es done for the key informants and head teachers. The data collected was analysed using descriptive s tatistics. The study, paradoxically, revealed that financial resources played insignificant role in sc hool access whereas cultural factors, parental negligence and ignorance of their roles in educatio n provision, poverty among the majority of parents and insecurity played a major role in hindering edu cation access and participation in the area. This study recommends that more boarding schools be esta blished in the area of study. The study also recommends that a sensitization programmed be undert aken for education stakeholders in the area to improve understanding of their roles and responsibi lities in the provision of education opportunities to learners.