Influence of Availability of Sanitary Facilities on the Participation of the Girl-Child in Public Primary Schools in Garissa County, Kenya
Affiliation(s)
1 Ikuu Girls High School, Chuka, Kenya. 2 Department of Education, Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya.
1 Ikuu Girls High School, Chuka, Kenya. 2 Department of Education, Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya.
ABSTRACT
Every child has the right to quality education and good health care. The government of Kenya introduced Free Primary Education to ensure all school aged children acquire basic education. Despite this government investment, the participation of girls in primary school education has been low. This study aimed at assessing the influence of sanitation on participation of the girl-child in public primary schools in Garissa County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The targeted population was made up of girls and teachers in public primary schools. A sample size of 704 respondents comprising of 640 class seven girls, 32 head teachers and 32 class seven class teachers was sampled. Questionnaires, observation schedules and interview schedules were used for data collection. Validity of the research instrument was ascertained through experts in research of Chuka University. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis aided by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. The results were presented in tables and figures. Most schools did not have adequate toilets and did not provide adequate sanitary pads. The schools did not have hand washing points and tissue papers. The study revealed that availability of sanitary pads, washing water points/soap and toilets influenced enrolment, concentration, self-confidence, attendance and performance of girls in education. The study recommends development of clear policies on provision of sanitation facilities and increases the number of sanitary pads supplied per girl. The government should set aside adequate budgetary allocation to provide school with sanitary facilities.
Every child has the right to quality education and good health care. The government of Kenya introduced Free Primary Education to ensure all school aged children acquire basic education. Despite this government investment, the participation of girls in primary school education has been low. This study aimed at assessing the influence of sanitation on participation of the girl-child in public primary schools in Garissa County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The targeted population was made up of girls and teachers in public primary schools. A sample size of 704 respondents comprising of 640 class seven girls, 32 head teachers and 32 class seven class teachers was sampled. Questionnaires, observation schedules and interview schedules were used for data collection. Validity of the research instrument was ascertained through experts in research of Chuka University. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis aided by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. The results were presented in tables and figures. Most schools did not have adequate toilets and did not provide adequate sanitary pads. The schools did not have hand washing points and tissue papers. The study revealed that availability of sanitary pads, washing water points/soap and toilets influenced enrolment, concentration, self-confidence, attendance and performance of girls in education. The study recommends development of clear policies on provision of sanitation facilities and increases the number of sanitary pads supplied per girl. The government should set aside adequate budgetary allocation to provide school with sanitary facilities.
Cite this paper
Njue, E. and Muthaa, G. (2015) Influence of Availability of Sanitary Facilities on the Participation of the Girl-Child in Public Primary Schools in Garissa County, Kenya. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 162-169. doi: 10.4236/jss.2015.38018.
Njue, E. and Muthaa, G. (2015) Influence of Availability of Sanitary Facilities on the Participation of the Girl-Child in Public Primary Schools in Garissa County, Kenya. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 162-169. doi: 10.4236/jss.2015.38018.
References
[1] Centre for Global Development (2002) Education and the Developing World. CFGD, Washington DC. [2] UNESCO (2005) Challenges of Implementing Free Primary Education in Kenya Assessment Report. UNESCO, Nairobi. [3] UNICEF (2008) Sharing Simple Facts. Useful Information about Menstrual Health and Hygiene. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), New York. [4] Sifuna, D. (2005) The Illusion of Universal Free Primary Education in Kenya. Wajibu: A Journal of Social and Religious Concern. http://africa.peacelink.org/wajibu/articles/art_6901.html [5] (2004) Monitoring of the Free Primary Education and Establishing the Unit Cost of Primary Education in Kenya. Elimu Yetu Coalition, Nairobi.
http://www.Commonwealtheducationfund.org/download/KenyaministryFPE.pdf [6] UNESCO (2005) Global Monitoring Report: The Quality Imperative. UNESCO, Paris. [7] Republic of Kenya (2005) Kenya Education Sector Support Programme 2005-2010. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi. [8] Benta, A. and Simatwa, E. (2010) Opportunities and Challenges for Public Primary School Head Teachers in the Implementation of Free Primary Education in Kisumu Municipality, Kenya: An Analytical Assessment. Educational Research and Review, 5, 484-491 [9] Yieke, F.A. (2006) Free Primary Education (FPE) in Kenya: Examining the Benefits Challenges and Sustainability. Kef: Commission for Development Studies at the Austria Academy Services: MDG Project Database. www.scientiasocialis.lt/pec/files/pdf/vol39/71-81 [10] Republic of Kenya (2003) Free Primary Education. Every Child in School. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi. [11] Republic of Kenya (2009) National School health Policy. Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi. [12] Republic of Kenya (2009) National School Health Guidelines: Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Nairobi. [13] UNESCO (2009) Constitution of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation. UNESCO, Paris. [14] MOE (2008) National School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion Strategy: 2008-2015. Republic of Kenya Ministry of Education, Nairobi. [15] Abdullahi, I. (2012) Factors Affecting Girls’ Participation in Primary Education in Garissa County, Kenya. http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5433
[1] Centre for Global Development (2002) Education and the Developing World. CFGD, Washington DC. [2] UNESCO (2005) Challenges of Implementing Free Primary Education in Kenya Assessment Report. UNESCO, Nairobi. [3] UNICEF (2008) Sharing Simple Facts. Useful Information about Menstrual Health and Hygiene. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), New York. [4] Sifuna, D. (2005) The Illusion of Universal Free Primary Education in Kenya. Wajibu: A Journal of Social and Religious Concern. http://africa.peacelink.org/wajibu/articles/art_6901.html [5] (2004) Monitoring of the Free Primary Education and Establishing the Unit Cost of Primary Education in Kenya. Elimu Yetu Coalition, Nairobi.
http://www.Commonwealtheducationfund.org/download/KenyaministryFPE.pdf [6] UNESCO (2005) Global Monitoring Report: The Quality Imperative. UNESCO, Paris. [7] Republic of Kenya (2005) Kenya Education Sector Support Programme 2005-2010. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi. [8] Benta, A. and Simatwa, E. (2010) Opportunities and Challenges for Public Primary School Head Teachers in the Implementation of Free Primary Education in Kisumu Municipality, Kenya: An Analytical Assessment. Educational Research and Review, 5, 484-491 [9] Yieke, F.A. (2006) Free Primary Education (FPE) in Kenya: Examining the Benefits Challenges and Sustainability. Kef: Commission for Development Studies at the Austria Academy Services: MDG Project Database. www.scientiasocialis.lt/pec/files/pdf/vol39/71-81 [10] Republic of Kenya (2003) Free Primary Education. Every Child in School. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi. [11] Republic of Kenya (2009) National School health Policy. Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi. [12] Republic of Kenya (2009) National School Health Guidelines: Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Nairobi. [13] UNESCO (2009) Constitution of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation. UNESCO, Paris. [14] MOE (2008) National School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion Strategy: 2008-2015. Republic of Kenya Ministry of Education, Nairobi. [15] Abdullahi, I. (2012) Factors Affecting Girls’ Participation in Primary Education in Garissa County, Kenya. http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5433