Effects of Early Marriage on Academic Performance of Girls in Primary Schools among the Pokot in Kacheliba Division
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Date
2005-05
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
This research focused on the effects of early marriage on academic performance of girls in
primary schools among the Pokot of Kacheliba Division. The study was carried out in
three schools in Kacheliba Division. These were Lokichar Primary School, Kacheliba
Mixed Primary School and Kacheliba Girls Primary School.
The following research questions guided the study:
i. What are the effects of early marriage on the academic performance of girls in
primary schools in Kacheliba Division?
What are some of the suggestions on how to discourage early marriages and
improve girls' academic performance in primary schools in Kacheliba
Division?
The study used survey and case study designs. The sample population included the
teachers, pupils, head teachers and parents. The instruments used to elicit data were
questionnaires and interview guides. Data was analyzed mainly by use of descriptive
statistics.
The findings of the study revealed that girls in primary school of the area under study
perform poorly academically as compared to boys. Girls also lack motivation to study and
even the aspiration to go beyond primary school because in most cases a good number of
girls in primary schools have been already asked to marry, or knew cases of their
colleagues who got married before completing primary school. This presents interference
by early marriage on the academic performance of girls. Some of the effects of early
marriage on academic performance are interference with concentration, demoralization as
they lack motivation to study and lack of parental support essential for positive academic
performance. Due to early marriage, girls lack good participation at school demoralizing
those who remain. Although early marriage in some occasions was said to have positive
effect on the academic performance of girls primary as it discouraged them not to marry
basing on the experience of those who got married if they did not succeed in their
marriage, the negative influence is more felt as in most cases the girl is not given the
freedom to choose when and who to marry.
In order to improve the academic performance of girls in primary schools in Kacheliba
Division there is great need for combined efforts by all the stakeholders. First, the
government needs to involve the local community as it comes up with the laws against
cultural practices such as female circumcision and early marriages. Secondly, the
government, the church and the NGOs need to involve the Pokot community in
eliminating cultural practices, especially early marriage, and sensitize the parents on the
values of gender equality in education in the light of rights of the girl-child. Thirdly, the
government, the church and NGOs need to construct more boarding schools and ensure
free primary education, especially for girls, so that they too can have enough time to
study. The government also needs to invest in regional development that will lead to job
placement opportunities for school leavers to motivate girls who are still in schools. At the
same time there is need for the schools, church and NGOs to work with the local
administration and the community in order to ensure girls' rights to education and the
freedom to choose when to marry are respected. This will improve academic achievement
of girls in primary schools among the Pokot of Kacheliba Division.
Description
Keywords
Nature of Early Marriage, Global Phenomenon of Early Marriage, Early Marriage and Education in Africa, Early Marriage and Girls Education in Kenya, Early Marriage Among the Pokot and Girls' Education