Factors Contribut~G To The Primary School Girl Dropouts Phenomenon In Semi Arid Areas. A Case Study Of Tile Community Of Makuyu Division, Murang’a South District.

ABSTRACT

While enrollment is steadily increasing in Kenya, dropout rate continues to be high, with

over 50% of the children, both boys and girls dropping out before completion of primary

cycle. Boys are marginally better than girls with 46.3%. completion compared to 45.8% of

girls. Statistics indicate that the retention of girls have consistently lagged behind that of

boys in all districts in Kenya. The purpose of this study therefore, was to identify factors

causing girls to dropout of school in Makuyu Division. The study focused on the entire

primary school cycle. It was a survey study which analyzed the occurrence of dropping

pattern of primary school girls within Makuyu Division. The sample comprised of five

primary schools of which, 80 primary school continuing girls, five primary school class

teachers, five headteacherS, 40 dropout girls, 20 parents/guardian of the dropout and two

education officers were sampled. This constituted a total of 152 respondents. A

questionnaire and four interview schedules were the main tools used in data collection.

Descriptive statistics, especially percentages and frequencies were used for the data

analysis.