Role of seleted parental socio-economic status on pupils’ enrolment in primary schools in Tambach Sub-County of Elgeyo-Marakwet- County, Kenya

Abstract

The increasing importance of education as a driver of growth, information and communication revolution has been noticeable during the 21st century as epitomized by educational mobility and global schooling. It is important that children enroll and remain in school for the entire cycle. A number of factors have been found to affect school enrolment. The purpose of this study was to establish the role of selected parental socio-economic status on pupils‟ enrolment in primary schools in Tambach Sub –County in Elgeyo-Marakwet County of Kenya. The study was carried out in public primary schools in Tambach Sub-County. The study employed Social Darwinism theory, that arguably posits that educational systems should be designed so as to remove barriers of any nature that prevent children from lower economic backgrounds from taking advantage of their abilities. The study utilized descriptive survey research design. The study targeted a total population of 7998 in Tambach Sub-County and from which a sample size of 399 was selected using simple random sampling technique. Purposive sampling technique was also used to sample 8 head teachers, 8 school management committee members and 27 class teachers and one Education Officer who provided useful information. Qualitative techniques of data analysis were used. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used to collect data. Data collection tools were validated through specific changes made by the supervisors in order to ensure they conformed to the study objectives. Reliability of the tools was established by use of Pearson Product moment. The questionnaires had a reliability of 0.8 which was at the acceptable threshold index of 0.70.The descriptive statistics technique and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data and the results presented as frequencies, means and percentages. From the research findings, the study established that parental level of education; income and occupation play a key role in the enrolment of pupils and maintaining them in primary schools up to standard eight in Tambach Sub-County. It also recommended the need for the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to formulate sound policies that are aimed at enhancing the enrolment of pupils in primary schools.