An assessment of the effects of insecurity on school attandence Among secondary school students of Garrisa County

Abstract

The last decade has seen the escalation of instability, insecurity and political violence in the country as a result of insecurity and conflicts. Garrisa County is paying a huge price in this insecurity. However, not much work has been done on the subject specifically in tabulating the losses of people of Garrisa County and more specifically on the Impact on School attendance among secondary schools in Garrisa County in this war. This study tried to fill that gap by identifying the human, economic, political, social and psychological impacts of in security on students of Secondary schools in this region of Garrisa County. This study therefore sorts to study the impact of insecurity on school attendance and school drop outs among secondary school students of Garrisa County. The study was guided by the objective; to determine level and incidences of insecurity in Garrisa County; to examine relationship of incidences and school attendance of students in Garrisa County; to determine attendance rate of students in Garrisa County; to assess the forms of insecurity in the region. The design of this research was descriptive survey research. A descriptive survey research seeks to obtain information that describes existing phenomena by asking individuals about their perceptions, attitude, behavior or values (Mugenda and Mugenda 2003). The target populations for the study were secondary students and teachers of Garrisa County. Data collected was analyzed and presented in pie charts, graphs and bar codes. The study used SPSS version 17.0 during the analysis. The findings of the study in regard to the objectives, the study linked insecurity and attendance rates among secondary school going students. Further it found out that conflicts, terrorism, cattle rustling and tribal or inter clan conflicts as types of insecurity being witnessed in the area. This affected students, teachers and parents equally. The study further established that girls were most affected and vulnerable due to the insecurity in Garrissa County. Also established during analysis of data is that none dominant community members were also affected during the insecurity such as terrorist. The study recommends more deployment of security forces in the area and every secondary school to recruit or have police station for the boarding school.