Publication:

A study to investigate the factors that Lead to girl child drop out in secondary School in Kieni West Division Nyeri County

This research investigated on the factors that have led to girl-child drop-out in Kieni west Division, Nyeri county. In spite of FDSSE being offered free in Kenya through the Secondary Education funding by the government. The researcher conducted a survey to establish the causes of girl child drop out in kieni west. It involved selecting sample schools, designing the research instrument and the actual data collection. The researcher used questionnaires as the research instrument/ It has come out that poverty is one of key factors that lead to girl child drop out in Kieni west. Cases of poverty lead to large percentage of girl child dropping out of school. This is an issue that needs to be addressed through empowering parents especially women so that they can be able to provide the basic need for the family without involving girls in the labour. HIV/AIDS orphans are another group of learners who leave school. There is need to address this issue of vulnerable children due to the effect of AIDS scourge. Cultural practices like FGM is also another issue that contributes to girl child drop out in this zone. This study also addresses possible solutions that could help the girls remain in school until they seat for KCSE. It suggests that through government interventions, policies should be put up to eliminate the gender gap in schooling in this area. Early teenagers pregnancies should be curbed through guidance and counseling by teachers as well as intensified family life education in the school curriculum. The researcher faced a number of challenges like fear of respondent to disclose on the issue of FGM, financial constraints among others.