Thesis:

A relational Analysis of the father-figure influence on girl child education and developments in municipality division, Kiambu sub-county.

The study analyzed the relationship between a father-figure influence on girl-child education and developments in public pre-schools in Municipality Division, Kiambu sub-county. The study objectives were; to determine how father-figure affects social development of a girl child, to ascertain the outcome of father-figure influence on emotional development of a girl child, to examine the influence of a father-figure on psychological development of a girl child and lastly to establish the effects of father-figure on education of a girl child. The study was a qualitative study which used a case study design. The study also adapted attachment theory by John Bowlby which states that the father must establish a bond after the child is born. This theory was found relevant for this study because lack of father-figure influences education and development of a girl child negatively hence the girl fails to develop holistically. The target population was all public pre- schools in municipality Division whereby all parents, all early childhood education teachers and all pre-school learners were targeted. The sample population was selected non probability sampling whereby five (5) public pre-schools out of seventeen (17) were selected. Twenty five (25) early childhood learners, five (5) early childhood education teachers, Thirty (30) single parents were the respondents. Purposive sampling was then used to select respondents from every group. Data was collected using three sets of instruments. Interview guides were issued to early childhood teachers, observation checklists were used to observe early childhood learners and interview schedules were conducted on single mothers and fathers using unstructured interview schedule. The pre-testing of the research instruments was done in one pre-school which was not part of the sample population for credibility. For validity, the researcher discussed the instruments with the supervisor. The researcher acquired authorization letter from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation to conduct the study. The researcher protected the respondents by being confidential. Finally, the data collected was analyzed using thematic analysis and was summarized in form of tables and figures. The analyses were based on research questions whereby tables, figures and write-ups were used to present, discuss and interpret the findings. The summary, conclusions and recommendations drawn were focused on addressing the objectives of the study. The study revealed that social development of fatherless girls was poor, their emotional development was not good, psychological development was at the negative side and education development was not promising as it ranged below average. The study recommended extra care in order to curb aggressiveness, relate well with others, feel secure, perform well at school, maintain good health and have desirable behaviors.