Factors leading to declining enrolment and retention of Boy child in primary schools: a case of Amu island, Lamu County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the declining enrolment and high dropout rate of boy child in education on Amu Island, Lamu County, Kenya. The purpose of the study was to investigate the declining enrolment and high dropout rate of boy child in education on Amu Island, Lamu County, Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were, to assess sociological factors that determined the decline of the boy child enrollment in primary schools in Amu Island, Lamu County, to determine the economic factors of declining enrollment of the boy child in primary schools in Amu Island, Lamu County, to identify the cultural factors that determines the decline of the boy child in primary schools in Amu Island, Lamu County ,to find out the environmental factors contributing to low enrolment of the boys in primary schools in Amu Island, Lamu County,to investigate religious influence on education of the boy child in Amu Island, Lamu County. The study adopted descriptive survey design. This design was used to determine reasons or causes for the current status of the phenomenon under study. The study was carried out in public primary schools in Amu Island in Lamu County. Lamu’s population is largely Muslim and ethnically diverse. In addition, most residents just like most Kenyans live below the poverty line. At the selected school level, the boys were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Class lists were used to select the boys that constituted the study sample. Boys whose admission numbers ended with either 2,4,6,8 or 1,3,5,7 will be included in the study. These numbers represent even and odd numbers. The choice of what numbers was determined through lottery. Through systematic random sampling of the standard eight boys in the selected schools, 30% boys’ representation was guaranteed regardless of the total number of the boys in standard seven in each of the selected schools. In total 5 Head teachers who were purposefully sampled and 30% of the total number of pupils (30% of 720 – average number of students in standard seven in Amu Island, Lamu County) = 106 pupils were be randomly sampled for the study. 30% of the religious leaders were randomly sampled while teachers in charge of guidance and counseling were purposefully sampled. The total sample size was therefore being 150. Head teachers and education officers were purposively sampled. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect the data. Validity of the research instruments was determined by a pilot study while reliability was ensured through test-re-test methods. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively through Statistical Package for Social Scientists Version 16.0 and thereafter presented in form of tables, graphs and pie charts. The major finding from the study was that there were several factors that are determinant of declining enrolment and high dropout rate of boy child in education on the Amu Island, Lamu County, Kenya. These factors included sociological factors, cultural factors, religion factors, economic factors and environmental factors that determined the decline of the boy child enrollment in primary schools in Amu Island, Lamu County. Recommendations of the study were as follows ;Reintroduction of legislation to check abuse of drugs and substances, enhance laws on employment of under-age which is illegal and against Kenya Laws on child labour by reinforcing policies and 2legal frameworks like the constitution and children act, Affirmative action for boys which may include, lowering grades for admission to secondary schools for the region as well as avoiding forceful repetition in the classes which foster drop out, as well as collaborative effort from the stakeholders like ministry of tourism and children office to improve enrolment and retention of boys in public primary schools in Amu Island, Lamu county.