CULTURAL PRACTICES CONTRIBUTING TO GIRLS’ DROPOUT RATE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KAJIADO COUNTY: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

While enrolment is steadily increasing in Kenya, dropout rate continues to be high, with over 50% of the children, both boys and girls dropping out before completing the primary cycle. This paper analyses the cultural practices that contribute to the increasing dropout rates of girls in primary schools in Kajiado County of Kenya, by making detailed review of available literature. The past reviews on the school dropout phenomenon have been carried out regardless of gender and specific cultural practices that occasioned dropout rate among girls in primary school. This paper demonstrates that cultural practices contribute to increase dropout rate practically for female student. The conceptual framework provided in this study illustrates how cultural practices affect pupil’s educational outcome which consequently produce dropout among girls. The study recommends the development of appropriate policies and intervention strategies to improve enrolment and retention of girl child in primary schools in Kenya.