CAUSES OF FATHER ABSENCE AND HOW IT AFFECTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE BOY CHILD IN KCSE IN SUNEKA DIVISION, KISII COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study was set to ascertain the causes of father absence and how it affects the academic performance of the boy child in KCSE in Suneka Division, Kisii County. The objectives of this study were: to find out the grades scored in KCSE by boys whose fathers had died; to find out the grades scored in KCSE by boys whose fathers were away for studies; to determine the scores of boys whose parents were divorced; to ascertain the academic performance of boys whose fathers were away due to employment. The social learning theory by Albert Bandura guided this study. The study employed descriptive survey approach. The target population from which the sample was drawn consisted of 3000 students enrolled in secondary schools. The division had 33 public secondary schools: 3 girls’ schools, 2 boys’ schools and 28 co-educational schools. Purposive sampling was used to sample two boys’ schools and 28 coeducational schools. Form 3 and 4 students were sampled to participate because they had been in school longer. The study purposively sampled 900 students using random sampling technique from 10 schools (an average of 90 students per school; 50 form threes and 40 form fours). The researcher also interviewed 10 Principals and 10 guidance and counselling teachers; one from each sampled school, giving a total population of 920. The data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. The students’ questionnaire collected qualitative and quantitative data which was analysed using descriptive analysis. The findings showed that various indicators of father absent households like employment, business, death, separation, divorce and studies to a great extend affected the grades scored in KCSE by the boy child in Suneka Division, Kisii County. The findings showed that boys from father absent households performed poorly compared to boys from father present homes. However it was also noted that there were boys from father absent households who performed well and scored high grades due to the efforts of their mothers as well as their fathers who were away. Most of the boys from father absent homes faced challenges like: lack of school fees, lack of motivation, inadequate basic needs, lack of appreciation and lack of revision materials among others. This affected the grade they scored in KCSE. These findings may help the guidance and counselling teachers who may understand the effects of father absent households on the boy child in their schools and enhance counselling. The education officers may also use these findings to try to sensitize the teachers and parents in their sub counties on the importance of fathers being close to their sons. Principals may also understand how to handle boys from father absent households in their schools. The ministry of education may as well undertake to train and post counsellors in schools to help boys from father absent households cope with father absence especially in case of death where they have no control.