Influence of socio-economic and environmental factors on girls’ transition to secondary school in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

Gender disparity and inequality in education has been a challenge world over. Education for All (EFA) and education targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 4(SDG) were put in place specifically to address concerns linked to education and development. This study sought to contribute to the growth of girl child education through establishment of the Socio-economic and environmental factors influencing transition rate of girls from Primary to Secondary School in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County. The specific objectives involved establishing Socio-Economic factors that influence transition rate of girls to Secondary School in Mt. Elgon Sub-county, determining the extent to which Socio-economic factors contribute to girls’ transition rate to Secondary Schools and investigating environmental factors that affect Girls’ Transition to Secondary School in Mt. Elgon Sub-county. The study was conducted in girls’ public secondary schools and selected primary schools in the six administrative wards in Mt. Elgon Sub-county. The study used descriptive research design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Out of a target population of 112, 88 was sampled using simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Simple random sampling was adopted to select the schools that were used as sample. The study employed questionnaires, interview schedules, focus group discussions and document analysis and desk top study as the instruments for the study. For qualitative data, the Sub-County Director of Education and Divisional Education Officers, District Officers, Church Leaders and Non-Governmental Organizations formed key informants for the study with whom in-depth interviews was conducted. The Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 for windows. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The results showed that majority (61.7%) of respondents said FGM very much affects girls transition to secondary schools in Mt. Elgon Sub-county. Girls after undergoing FGM feel mature and ready for marriage. About 33.3 % of respondents cited apathy for education as a contributing factor to girls’ transition to secondary school. 63% of form one girls interviewed considered distance to school as a major factor influencing their transition to secondary schools given that secondary schools are fewer and distantly located. The study concludes that socio-cultural, socio-economic and environmental factors greatly influence transition of girls from primary to secondary school in Mt. Elgon Sub-county, Bungoma County. The study recommends the government, Non-Governmental Organizations and other sectors should address socio-economic and environmental factors to improve the transition rate of girls to secondary school. These findings will inform policy in the education sector.