Relationship between selected economic factors and enrolment of girls in rural public primary schools in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

The gist of this study was to examine the relationship between selected economic factors and the enrolment of girls in rural public primary schools in Samburu County, Kenya. Persistent low enrolment of girls in rural public primary schools in Samburu County has been conspicuous despite efforts by the government, as addressed in the Kenyan Constitution and Basic Education Act, 2013. For this reason, the objectives of this study were to establish the relationship between household wealth, rural infrastructure, child labour, family residence, as well as school facilities and meals at school and enrolment of girls in rural public primary schools in Samburu County, Kenya. It employed a descriptive correlation survey design and was guided by Social Conflict Theory by Oberschall. The target population of the research was 136 female teachers and 135 headteachers from rural public primary schools in Samburu County. The sample size for the study was 136 female teachers and 27 headteachers. The census method for female teachers who responded to the questionnaires was used, while a purposive sampling technique was applied for head teachers whose data was obtained using interview schedules. Result analysis by Pearson Correlation Coefficient yielded a significant negative correlation of -0.348 and a low p-value (Sig.) of 0.005, signifying significance at the 5 per cent level, indicating a significant relationship between economic factors and girls' enrolment in rural public primary schools in Samburu County. The study recommended infrastructure improvements, transportation and resolving water scarcity issues in Samburu County as means for enhancing girls' enrolment in rural primary schools.