Publication:

An investigation on the causes of girls' dropout in secondary schools in Kathiani Sub-County, Machakos County.

Education plays a vital role in socializing an individual to fit and participate adequately in development of a society. In an education system students are the core components. However, it is a difficult process to retain them until they complete the expected grades. It is said that, girls dropout of school at some point in their schooling as compared to their boys counterparts making an inequality in the general output to the institutions of higher learning. Joint efforts to curb girls’ dropout and increase retention would help correct this inequality in both education and the economy at large. This study aimed to investigate the causes of girls’ dropout in public secondary schools in Kathiani sub County. The study is of significant value due to the allegations of the increased dropout in the sub County affecting the girl child education, awareness and general quality of education in the bigger picture as it is said that educating a girl is educating the whole community. The researcher was guided by the following objectives. To find out the: i. Family based factors that lead to girls dropout t of secondary schools ii. School based factors causing girls’ dropout in secondary schools iii. Student based factors causing girls’ drop-out in secondary schools The study adopted descriptive survey research design upon a target population of 110 drop-outs, 29 principals and 29 guidance and counselling teachers in the sub county. Out of the target, to obtain a relevant sample simple random sampling technique was used for the dropo-uts and guidance and counselling teachers whereas purposive was used upon the principals. Data was collected using interview guides as well as questionnaires and analysed using tables and percentages. The study findings and suggestions provide the Ministry, school, family and entire community with ways of addressing the problem of the study.