AN EXPLORATION OF PARTICIPATION OF NOMADIC PASTORALISTS’ CHILDREN IN NON-FORMAL EDUCATION: A CASE OF MOBILE SCHOOLING IN TURKANA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study focused on assessment of the participation of nomadic pastoralists in Non-Formal Education: A case of Turkana County. The study addressed this in line with the conditions in which the intervention has enhanced enrolments. In addition, it will establish ways the various social groups are encouraged to enrol. Also, it will focus on ways the various enrolled social groups are supported towards completion of studies. Finally, the study will investigate the challenges that hinder them from enrolling in mobile schools. Multiple case study design was used involving three mobile schools. Maximum variation sampling was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants to the study. Teachers, learners and parents were the informants. The three teachers of the three mobile schools were interviewed. Seven Focus group Discussions (FGD) were conducted by this study. Three of them involved learners while four involved parents. Teachers were interviewed and focus group discussions were used to gather data from the learners and the parents. In addition, focus group discussion guide, interview guide, document analysis guide and Observation checklist were the instruments employed in this study. The study found out that despite the mobile school intervention, the level of particapation of nomadic pastoralists’ children in education is still minimal. Obstacles that need to be addressed at policy and grass root levels include teaching capacity, food security and insecurity related issues in general.This study suggests the need to use multifaceted approach in education provision and a monitoring and evaluation system to support the programme on the ground. The study concludes that futher research is needed in policy implementation in context of culturally hostile environment.