Factors affecting Maasai Girl-child education : A case study of maasai mara University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting Maasai girl child education in Narok which was a case study of Maasai Mara University .the specific objectives of the study included ; to establish how FGM affects the Maasai girl child education in Narok North Sub-County, to determine the Maasai traditional beliefs that affect the Maasai girl child education in Narok North Sub-County ,to ascertain the effect of early marriages on Maasai girl child education in Narok North Sub county ,to establish the attitudes of the Maasai girl child towards education in Narok North Sub-county. A quantitative data collection method was used in the study. The target population of the study was 50Maasai girls’ students of Maasai Mara University. the study used snow sampling method to select a sample size of 50 respondents .data was collected by use of questionnaires that were distributed to the respondents .the data collected was tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented using bar graphs and pie charts . Based on the analysis, the study found that early marriages, traditional beliefs .FGM and attitudes affect girl child education in the Maasai community. The study will generate on the effects of cultural practice and beliefs on Maasai girl child education in Narok. It will therefore help in acknowledging pastoral communities girls as part and parcel of learning institutions by enabling them to have positive attitudes towards education. To the parents, the research will assist them to mentor their girls and to get them enrolled in schools in large numbers as opposed to limiting them to pastoral culture and beliefs.