Effects of HIV/AIDS on enrollment and retention of pupils in public primary schools in Komothai location, Githunguri sub county

Abstract

Education is a basic human Right that fosters economic growth and human development. It is one of the most powerful instruments in shaping the human race and is the only answer to all our socio-economic problems.HIV/AIDS places every system and institution under profound threat. The pandemic has negative impact on the quality of education provided.This study sought to determine the effect of HIV/AIDS on enrolment and retention of pupils in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri Sub County. Specifically, the study sought to; determine the effect of social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS on the enrolment and retention of pupils in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri Sub County, identify the effect of illnesses associated with HIV/AIDS on the enrolment and retention of pupils in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri Sub County and establish the effect of HIV/AIDS on the absenteeism of pupils in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri Sub County. The study used a descriptive research design. The target population was all the teachers, parents and pupils in all the 14 schools in Komothai Zone. The sample size will be 56 respondents. The study will use primary data collected by use of likert scale questionnaires. The questionnaires were self administered. A pilot test was conducted to test for the reliability and validity of the research instrument. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics for the analysis. The descriptive statistics included frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation while inferential statistics included regression. The results were presented in tables and pie charts. Results showed that social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS affected enrolment and retention in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri Sub-county, illness associated with HIV/AIDS affected enrolment and retention in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri Sub-county and absenteeism caused by HIV/AIDS affected enrolment and retention in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri Sub-county.Based on the findings it is possible to conclude that HIV/AIDS affect enrolment and retention of pupils in public primary schools in Komothai Zone, Githunguri SubCounty. This was evidenced by the positive and significant results of the relationship between social stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS, illness associated with HIV/AIDS, absenteeism caused by HIV/AIDS and effect of HIV/AIDS on enrolment and retention of pupils in public primary schools. The study recommends that the government should put in place regulations that will ensure that the right to education, protection and health of orphaned children are protected. The Ministry of Education and that of Gender and Social Services should collaborate in ensuring that children living with HIV/AIDS are protected in schools and at home to ensure that such children receive good education. Based on the findings the study also recommended that the education officers should be tough on parents who do not enrol their children to schools, the education officers and teachers should sensitize the parents and the community on the importance of education while the head teacher should not send children home for school fees instead he should assist them be sponsored and parents and teachers should have a good relationship.