January 2015 Vol. 3 No.1

Search Pubmed for articles by:
 

Musavini GW
Mulee YA

Other links:
PubMed Citation
Related articles in PubMed









 

Original Research Article

Teachers’ perceptions on the factors that influence school dropout among upper primary school pupils in Trans-Nzoia East, Trans- Nzoia County, Kenya

Mr. Gilbert Wangila Musavini^1* and Dr. Yungungu Alice Mulee²

Moi University, School of Education, Department of Curriculum Instruction and Educational Media, P.O Box 3900-30100, Eldoret-Kenya

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: aliceyungungu@yahoo.com; Tel: (+254) 0729 299 828

Accepted January 12, 2015

Abstract

Pupils’ dropout works against the constitutional rights of a child and in the end; it can negatively affect a country’s socio-economic development. The study sought to investigate teachers’ perceptions on the factors that influence school dropout among upper primary school pupils in Trans-Nzioa East, Trans-Nzioa County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were, to establish ways in which teachers perceive cultural practices as influencing school dropouts, to find out teachers’ perceptions on how insecurity influences school dropout, to determine teachers’ perceptions on how pupils’ family background influences school dropout and to find out teachers’ perceptions on ways in which peer pressure influences school dropout. An ex-post facto study design was adopted for this study. The study was based on Vrooms’ Expectancy theory of motivation as cited by Wayne and Miskel (2008). The target population was 250 respondents. The study used a sample population of 100 respondents, which included head teachers and class teachers. The research adopted a combination of simple random, purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. Questionnaires, Observation schedules and interview schedules were used to collect data. Data was analyzed by frequency, tables and percentages tables of descriptive statistics. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences program (SPSS). The findings of this study revealed that negative cultural practices, insecurity in schools, parental negligence and negative peer pressure were major factors influencing dropout among upper primary school pupils according to teachers. This study is useful in that it recommends that schools can gradually introduce communication in English by pupils, moreover, punishment to victims should be mild. Stakeholders in child welfare should educate and encourage parents on the need to take active role in children’s education whether formal or non-formal, teachers should trace the whereabouts of victims of pregnancy with an aim of encouraging them to continue with education, stakeholders can educate the public, teachers and pupils inclusive on human rights, besides teachers can devise ways of discouraging bullying like through counseling, more primary schools and village polytechnics can be opened up to cater for long distances and dropouts respectively, further, schools can engage in agro-business in order to raise enough food and extra money for poor pupils, more importantly pupils should be encouraged to seek guiding and counselling from teachers whenever in a dilemma

Keywords: Provide minimum of five keywords