International Journal of Gender & Women's Studies

Gender in Education: A Case of Academic Performance of the Girl Child in Butere District Kenya
Aggrey Ayub Walaba, Joel Kipkemboi Kiboss

Abstract
In Kenya pupils usually sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in order to join secondary education and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE) to join post-secondary and/or tertiary education. But there is a concern about the pupils’ poor academic performance in both standard eight and form four national examinations countrywide and the most worrying problem is the performance of the girl child in Butere district. In view of this a comparative survey was undertaken in this respect. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors contributing to this dismal academic performance by girls in Butere District. School administrators and teachers were asked to rate the factors identified as perhaps responsible for the setback. The study revealed that some cultural practices, improper parenting, parental violation of child rights and welfare of the child, lack of ideal love, and rights of the child, early marriages, among other factors; led to the dismal academic performance by the female child in the district. The study therefore made viable recommendations which could uplift the academic performance in both KCPE and KCSE examinations.

Full Text: PDF