Factors Influencing Girls Drop Out In Public Boarding and Day Secondary Schools in Masaba North District- Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing girls’ drop out in public boarding and day secondary schools in Masaba North District. The study was guided by four objectives which were to examine the extent to which socio-economic factors influence girls’ drop out, to establish the influence of individual factors on girls’ dropout rate, to establish the influence of school factors on girls’ dropout rate and to determine the influence of gender policy implementation on girls’ dropout rate. In literature review the study reviewed the gap under the following sub themes: overview of girls’ dropout, influence of socio-economic factors, family background and girls dropout, economic status of the family, cultural status, individual factors, gender and girls’ dropout, aspiration and girls’ dropout, age and girls’ dropout, school based factors, sanitation, school levies, teaching learning resources, peer influence and gender policy implementation. The study employed descriptive design method using focus group discussion and questionnaires. The study targeted all the 20 public secondary schools in the district with a total population of 600 teachers, 7,213 students and the head teachers were sampled in the study. One teacher from every school was also selected (in charge of guidance and counseling). The form fours were the most respondents because they had been in school for long. Data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages and presented in tables and conclusions drawn. Therefore the study found out that the factors in questions have high influence in girls school drop-out. The gender policy implementation is the key to minimize the drop out. The study therefore called for collaborative efforts by government and other players in providing civic education on behavior change.