Publication:

EFFECT OF RETROGRESSIVE CULTURE ON GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY OF SAMBURU EAST CONSTITUENCY IN SAMBURU COUNTY KENYA

Abstract The level of girl-child education in Samburu County has remained low for several years. Education is regarded as an instrument for gender equity and success in life. Disregard and discrimination against females contribute to low level of education in the county. Despite the support of parents and attempts by the government and non-governmental organizations to improve girl-child education, the levels of education as been low, an enormous challenge that requires urgent redress. The study investigated the effect of retrogressive culture, opportunities and strategies to eradicate it in order to improve girl-child education in the county. The following objectives guided the study; to investigate the influence of the retrogressive culture on the performance of girl child in national examinations, to identify the community perceptions that influence girl-child education and to establish ways to eradicate the culture. The study will provide a body of knowledge to the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, the government and the county leaders in designing the strategy on how to reduce the influence of this culture on girl-child education. The literature review assisted the researcher to understand the topic better; the influence of retrogressive cultures on girl-child education in Samburu County both in primary and secondary schools. It focused on community perceptions and beliefs, female circumcision, beading and early forced marriages. The study involved head teachers in both primary and secondary schools and pupils. The study used mixed methodology. Descriptive surveys of quantitative approaches were used to collect in-depth data using questionnaires and interviews. The study sample size consisted of 40 pupils, 4 head teachers and 8 parents. The study target population included pupils, parents and the head teachers. Qualitative data analysis method was used to describe the sample size using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that girl-chld education is adversely affected by early forced marriages, female circumcision, beading and the community perception and also the girls lacked role models. The study recommended that there is need to sensitize the masses about the need to educate the girl-child 2