The relationship between the gender of children and their access to primary schools in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

This investigation aimed to look at the connection between the gender of children and their access to primary school in Samburu County, Kenya. The study got its data from secondary and primary avenues. The secondary sources were literature materials from local libraries and records/reports in education offices and schools in the Samburu District. Primary sources were based on interviews and direct observations. An interview schedule with 9 main areas was used. Proportional Stratified sampling was used to divide the area into three clusters, namely;- Highland-Rural, Lowland-Rural and Urban. The study adopted the Survey Research method. Direct observations were used to assess the nature of the regions studied and capture relevant ‘off-the-cuff’ remarks of the respondents. In this study, the analysis of the data was done using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to aid data analysis, organisation, interpretation and presentation. The specific tools used were frequencies, cross-tabulations, contingency tables, chi-square, multiple regression, correlation, and qualitative presentation in the form of quotations. The study revealed that respondents’ background factor, like gender, influence access to basic formal education among the Samburu people of Kenya. The study also found out that households prefer sending boys to school than girls. Accordingly, the study recommends that gender awareness creation be enhanced. More so, households should be educated on the rights of children, especially in relation to education.