Perception of Various Stakeholders on the Re-Entry Policy of Teenage Mothers to School in Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

The relationship between the girl’s education and economic development has received a worldwide attention for quite sometimes. A number of global organization have been formed to address the issue of girl’s education. However, the issue of teenage mothers remains a thorny issue in most developing countries. This category of learners undergo a number of challenges to access and continue with education. Reentry policy of teenage mothers to school mooted in Beijing conference of 1995 is one intervening policy to help address the needs for the teenage mothers. The Kenyan government adopted the policy in 2001. Despite the policy being in place, very few teenage mothers have been returning to school. The objectives of this study to determine the perception of various stakeholders on the re-entry policy of teenage mothers to school in Bungoma County. The critical theory as modified by Habernes was used 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 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 was administered to Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers and head teachers. Pilot study was carried out in Trans Nzoia County. Reliability of the research instruments was tested using Spearman Rank Order correlation coefficient. A value of 0.79 was obtained and was considered high enough for the instruments to be judged to be reliable. Validity was determined by expert judgment in the School of Education in the University of Eldoret. Quantitative data were coded and presented using tables and analyzed through frequency distribution and percentages. Qualitative data were organized and broken into themes synthesized to search for patterns and meaning. This study was significant for it shed light on the level of awareness among various stakeholders of the re-entry policy of teenage mothers to school, the perception of the various stakeholders on the re-entry policy, identified aspects of culture that affected the implementation of the re-entry policy and the implementation strategies that are in place to implement the policy. The various stakeholders have a negative perception and attitude towards the teenage mother. Its recommended that there should be a national debate on teenage motherhood to increase awareness of the policy and address the issue of perception and the change in attitude towards the teenage mothers.