Investigation on factors contributing to low enrollment of Girls in agriculture in Kirinyaga East Secondary Schools

Abstract

The researcher sought to examine factors contributing to low girls enrolment in Agriculture in Kirinyaga East District, Kirinyaga County, Mt. Kenya region. The data was collected using descriptive method for addressing current problems which need a solution for efficiency and case study for was only targeting secondary school in Kirinyaga East district. The study used descriptive survey to obtain information from twelve schools. Simple random sampling technique were used to select the twelve schools because it offers all the subjects in the population equal chance of being selected. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the teachers and students. The suggestion of supervisor was used to improve the instrument. Data from the questionnaire were tallied, tabulated and converted into percentage and source bar graphs and pie charts drawn. Result indicated that girls attitude towards Agriculture as a subject, methodology of teaching Agriculture and method of evaluating affect the enrollment of girls in Agriculture. The result also indicated that failure to use presentable language when teaching has also shown to be possible factor. However, the researcher believe that there is a need for learners to have positive attitudes towards Agriculture at first years of experience to enhance performance and hence enrollment. Teachers are expected to use teaching aids and use good language during instruction in class to ensure imposition of positive attitude to the students. Availability of resource materials is a factor which needs to be considered if enrolment of girls in Agriculture in schools and Kenya as a whole has to improve. The study recommended that the educators through the ministry of education who understands the value of Agriculture in the curriculum to help upgrade the subject. This requires those engaged in establishment of Agriculture syllabus to take the responsibility of manning inventor to and migrate the common challenge that affect girls enrollment in Agriculture.