Although considerable attention has been paid to the prevalence of adolescence childbearing in
Kenya today, few studies have focused on the educational consequences of the schoolgirl
pregnancy. Using data collected in selected schools in Embu Municipality, this study examines
the factors associated with schoolgirl pregnancy as well as the likelihood of school dropout and
subsequent re‐enrollment of schoolgirls who become pregnant.
The analysis is derived from the data collected from secondary schoolgirls, education officials
and teachers on factors that predispose girls to pregnancy, the extent to which teenage
pregnancy contributes to school dropout and the eventual levels of re‐admission. The data
analysis shows that girls in secondary schools are actually already sexually active though they
lack the relevant information to help them make the right choices as far as their sexuality is
concerned. The little information that they have is not conclusive and it is evident that they
yearn for information which would be useful for them.
Policy on re‐admission has been formulated but the extent to which it is applied is still a
questionable issue. A lot of gaps also exist in record keeping of the girls who become pregnant
while in school and what becomes of them when they dropout. Such records would be vital in
determining for sure if these girls become pregnant before dropping out of school or otherwise
and subsequently tracking them down for re‐admission purposes.
A question is then raised on what other factors would be causing these girls to drop out of
school other than just the pregnancy. However, poverty, cultural practices and peer pressure
are among the factors assumed to be predisposing girls to pregnancy from the findings of this
study, while these factors in themselves would also cause dropouts. Given the increasing levels
of female school participation in Kenya today through the affirmative action motion targeting
the girl child, the findings of this study suggest that future studies will benefit from exploring
the causal relationships between the factors mentioned above, adolescent reproductive health
behavior and subsequent school attendance.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction & Background of the Study
1.1 Problem Statement
1.2 Objectives of the Study
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Hypotheses
1.5 Scope of the Study
1.6 Justification of the Study
1.7 Significance of the Study
1.8 Limitations of the Study
1.9 Assumption of the Study
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Causes of Teenage Pregnancies
2.2 Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy
2.3 Prevention and Remedial Measures of Teenage Pregnancies
2.4 Other causes of schoolgirl dropout
2.5 Efforts made in addressing Pregnancy-Related School dropout
2.6 Constraints Faced
2.7 Lessons Learnt
Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY
3.0 Study Area
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Target Population
3.3 Sampling Procedure
3.4 Data Collection Methods
3.5 Data Analysis Methods
Chapter 4: RESEARH FINDINGS
4.0 Interview Guides
4.1 Questionnaires
4.2 Reports & Other Documents
Chapter 5: SUMMARY
5.0 Summary of Findings
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendations
Research Objectives & Focus
This research project investigates the impact of teenage pregnancy on school dropout rates among secondary school girls in Embu Municipality, Kenya. It seeks to identify the contributing factors to early pregnancies, assess the extent to which these pregnancies lead to educational discontinuation, and examine the efficacy of current re-admission policies.
- Factors predisposing secondary school girls to teenage pregnancy.
- The direct correlation between teenage pregnancy and school dropout rates.
- Current levels and challenges regarding the re-admission of young mothers into the school system.
- The role of socio-economic factors and cultural practices in educational outcomes.
- The effectiveness of existing school-based life skills and sex education programs.
Excerpt from the Book
1.0 Introduction & Background of the study:
Pregnancy related school dropouts have become a matter of public concern in the world today. Several studies have shown that age at first intercourse is reducing, suggesting that today’s young adults are becoming sexually active at an increasingly younger ages. In addition, some studies have shown that few adolescents use contraceptives and are at risk of pregnancy (Kiragu, 1991; McCauley and Salter, 1995; Kiragu & Zabin, 1995). This results in situations such as dropping out of school, poverty, early marriage and contracting sexually transmitted diseases (DHS Charter book, 1992; Kane et. al., 1993; IIinigumugabo, 1995).
As reported in the December 2000 edition brief of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), in the developed countries such as the USA, early parenthood is seen to be adding a great burden to the already challenging navigation of adolescence. Each year, it is estimated that some 500,000 adolescent females become parents before completing high school in the United States. Research reports also indicate that the United States records the highest teen birth rates in the industrialized world, twice as high as that of the United Kingdom which is the developed nation with the second highest rate of teen pregnancy (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 1997). The educational stakes are also very high for young parents in the developed countries whereas a high percentage of young mothers drop out of school, making early motherhood the number one reason for dropping out of school among young girls in these countries.
In Africa, especially the sub-Saharan Africa countries, there are concerns about high rates of pregnancy-related school dropouts, also leading to the reported gender disparities in education in the developing world (Mensch et. al.). Schoolgirls who become pregnant have fewer opportunities to complete their education after childbirth and have fewer opportunities for socioeconomic advancement. Among policy makers and even the media, pregnancy is increasingly being mentioned as a reason for premature school leaving in the region.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION: This chapter outlines the global and regional context of pregnancy-related school dropouts, presenting the problem statement, research objectives, and the significance of the study within the Kenyan educational landscape.
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW: This section examines existing research on the causes and consequences of teenage pregnancy, including social, cultural, and economic factors, as well as current efforts to address school re-entry.
Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY: This chapter describes the research area in Embu Municipality and the qualitative exploratory approach used, including the target population, sampling, and data collection tools.
Chapter 4: RESEARH FINDINGS: This chapter presents the data gathered from interview guides and questionnaires, detailing findings on sexual activity, reasons for dropout, and stakeholder perspectives on potential solutions.
Chapter 5: SUMMARY: This concluding chapter synthesizes the research findings, offers a final conclusion on the necessity of preventive interventions, and provides recommendations for policy and further research.
Keywords
Teenage pregnancy, School dropout, Secondary school girls, Embu Municipality, Reproductive health, Girl child education, Re-admission policy, Adolescent sexuality, Socio-economic factors, Gender disparities, Life skills education, Peer pressure, Premarital sex, Counseling, Kenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the impact of teenage pregnancy on the school dropout rates of secondary school girls in the Embu Municipality of Kenya.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the drivers of teenage pregnancy, the subsequent impact on female education, the social and economic consequences for young mothers, and the effectiveness of current government re-admission policies.
What is the ultimate objective of the study?
The main objective is to determine how teenage pregnancy contributes to school dropout and to investigate factors that predispose girls to these pregnancies, ultimately aiming to improve school retention rates.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
The study utilized an exploratory, qualitative research design involving in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and the collection of primary data through questionnaires administered to secondary school students.
What topics are covered in the main body of the research?
The main body covers the literature review on teenage pregnancy, the methodology used, a presentation of the research findings based on field data, and final conclusions accompanied by recommendations for stakeholders.
What are the characterizing keywords of this study?
Key terms include teenage pregnancy, school dropout, girl child education, re-admission policies, adolescent reproductive health, and socio-economic influences.
How do cultural practices influence school dropout in the studied area?
The research highlights that cultural practices, such as rites of passage like female circumcision, lead to girls assuming adult roles prematurely, which significantly contributes to their decision to drop out of school.
What does the study suggest about current re-admission policies?
The study suggests that current re-admission policies are largely ineffective due to a lack of follow-up mechanisms, persistent moral stigma, and the absence of adequate support systems for young mothers to continue their education.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Winnie Osulah (Autor:in), 2007, The Impact of Teenage Pregnancy on School Dropout among Secondary School Girls in Embu Municipality, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/199931
