Personal Truancy Dynamics on Learners’ Participation in Public Primary Schools in Narok South Sub-County

Abstract

Learners’ participation in public primary schools in Narok South Sub- County has been low. Many primary schools register high cases of learners dropout in public primary schools. This is also characterised by high cases of truancy. The objective of the study was; to assess the influence of personal truancy dynamics on learners’ participation in public primary schools. The study was guided by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the person-centred theories. This study adopted a mixed methodology and applied a concurrent triangulation research design. The target population was 304 respondents comprising 16 head teachers, 160 teachers and 128 parents’ representatives, from which a sample of 172 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. Stratified sampling was used to create four different strata based on the number of zones in the Narok South Sub- County. From each zone, two head teachers and two parents’ representatives were selected using purposive sampling. However, from each zone, 39 teachers were selected using simple random sampling. This procedure enabled the researcher to sample eight head teachers, eight parents’ representatives and 156 teachers. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from teachers, whereas an interview schedule was used to gather qualitative information from head teachers and parents’ representatives. Piloting was conducted amongst 18 respondents (10.0% of 172) from schools in Narok South Sub- County to establish validity, reliability, credibility, and dependability. Validity was established through expert judgment. Reliability was established using the split-half technique and a reliability coefficient, r = 0.719, was obtained using Cronbach Alpha Method, which indicated high internal reliability. Credibility was ascertained by data triangulation through multiple analysts. Dependability was ascertained through detailed reporting. Qualitative data were analysed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using ANOVA Test Analysis in Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS 23) and presented using tables. The study established that learners’ personal environmental dynamics have a great influence on the extent to which learners participate in public primary schools. However, many learners who often play truant manifest signs of boredom, lack of interest, isolation, always quiet, rarely playing together with their peers, lack interest in studies and are rarely ready for school.