Factors Influencing Pupils Access to education among primary schools in Conflict Prone areas of Turkana East Sub county Kenya

Abstract

Conflict in Turkana East Sub County has been persistent over many years and has evolved since Turkana East was identified as one of the sub-counties in the Kenya Vision 2030. The frequent conflicts have greatly affected access to primary education in the area. This study examines factors influencing pupils access to primary education in conflict prone areas of Turkana East sub-County. The study sought to examine how attacks on schools during conflict affect access to primary school education in Turkana East County. The sample population was 1 headteachers, 20 teachers and 200 pupils of the ten most affected public primary schools in Turkana East Sub County. The research used simple random sampling and stratified sampling to select teachers and students. The study found that the majority (75%) of the schools surveyed reported having pupils displaced from school due to conflict.. It is found that attacks on schools during frequent ethnic conflicts in Turkana East Sub County affects access to primary education negatively. Over 60 per cent of head teachers interviewed stated that their schools had been attacked during the conflict. The fear caused by such attacks leaves many schools closed and parents afraid to send their children to school. The study recommends the government through the security agencies to work with the local community of Turkana East Sub County to come up with a lasting solution to the problem of armed conflicts and ensure lasting peace.