The Cultural Factors Affecting Academic Performance of Orphaned Girls in Primary Schools in Meru South Sub- County, Kenya

Authors : Benjamin Mugambi Kanga ; Leah Ntinyari Murungi

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.71.7.13

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the cultural factors affecting academic performance of orphaned girls in public primary schools in Meru South Sub-county. Descriptive survey research design was used. The target population was 600 orphaned girls in 150 public primary schools from which a sample size of 250 orphaned girls in class 6 and 7 was purposively selected for the study. In addition, 50 teachers who teach standard 6 and 7 were included in the sample for triangulation. Data from the respondents was collected through questionnaires. The computer based statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 was used to analyze the data. Data was presented by use of frequency distribution tables. The study found out that cultural factors such as; Inducement by orphaned girls’ relatives to drop out of school to get married, cultural belief that girls are not supposed to inherit their parents’ property and performing heavy gender roles like cooking and washing negatively affected academic performance of orphaned girls. The government needs to enforce the law against retrogressive cultural practices such; as offering young girls for marriage to earn dowry, denying orphaned girls inheritance to their parents’ property and pressure to undergo FGM which affects academic performance of orphaned girls.

Factors Affecting Students’ Low-Enrolment in Vocational Technical Education Post-Graduate Programmes in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Authors : Obiyai K. K. ; Emeli Eniekenemi

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.71.1.6

Abstract:
This study examined factors affecting students’ low-enrolment into post-graduate programmes in Vocational and Technology Departments in Tertiary Institutions in Bayelsa and Rivers States. Two research questions and one null hypothesis were used. The researchers used simple descriptive survey research design. The population was one hundred and forty-nine (149). The whole 149 was used as the sample because it was manageable. The instrument used for the study was questionnaire developed by the researchers titled: Factors Affecting Students’ Low-Enrolment in Post-Graduate Programmes in VTE Departments in Bayelsa and Rivers States Tertiary Institutions. The instrument was validated by two experts in the Measurement and Evaluation Unit of Educational Foundations Department and One from Vocational and Technology Education Department, all of Faculty of Education, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State. The reliability was calculated to be 0.87 using Cronbach Alpha. The Z-test for the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that finance is a major factor affecting students’ low-enrolment of more Vocational Technical education student that do not have low prospect as well as job opportunities not limited to teaching areas.it was therefore recommended, that the State Governments where tertiary institutions are established should create a financial scheme to subside tuition fees as well as research grants for post-graduate students to ease the students’ financial burden.