Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SJHSS)
Volume-3 | Issue-11 | 1273-1280
Original Research Article
Assessment of Cultural Aspects That Affects the Re-Entry Policy of Teenage Mothers to School in Bungoma County Kenya
Cherui Rodgers, Lydia Kipkoech, Kitainge Kisilu
Published : Nov. 30, 2018
Abstract
In equality in girl’s education has been a subject for many developing
countries. The Kenyan government developed the policy of the re-entry of the teenage
mothers to school in 2001. The policy allows teenage mothers to re-enter schools after
delivery. Despite the policy being in place, very few teenage mothers have been
returning to school. This study sought to find out the cultural aspects that affects the
implementation of the re-entry policy of teenage mothers to school in Bungoma
County. The main objective of the study was to find out the various aspects of culture
that affected the re-entry policy of teenage mother to schools in Bungoma County.
The critical theory by Habernes was adopted as the theoretical framework. The
convergent parallel mixed method research design was used. The research population
comprised of teenage mothers, student girls, head teachers, principals, Guiding and
Counselling teachers, Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers. The
main data collection instruments were Questionnaires and Interview schedules.
Questionnaires were administered to the Teenage mothers, school girls, Guidance and
counselling teachers, while the interview schedule were administered to Sub County
Quality Assurance and Standards Officers and head teachers. Pilot study was carried
out in Trans Nzoia County. Reliability index of 0.79 was obtained. Quantitative data
was coded and presented using tables and analyzed through frequency distribution and
percentages. Qualitative data was organized and broken into themes synthesized to
search for patterns and meaning. This study was significant for it identified various
cultural factors that affected the implementation of the re-entry policy. The study
revealed various cultural factors that hindered the effective implementation of the
policy included, attitudes, prejudice, gender discrimination and traditional customs.
There is therefore a need to address these cultural factors so as to enable these teenage
mothers to reenter school.