Abstract:
The relationship between the girl’s education and economic development has received a
worldwide attention for quite sometimes. A number of global organization have been
formed to address the issue of girl’s education. However, the issue of teenage mothers
remains a thorny issue in most developing countries. This category of learners undergo a
number of challenges to access and continue with education. Reentry policy of teenage
mothers to school mooted in Beijing conference of 1995 is one intervening policy to help
address the needs for the teenage mothers. The Kenyan government adopted the policy in
2001. Despite the policy being in place, very few teenage mothers have been returning to
school. The objectives of this study to determine the perception of various stakeholders
on the re-entry policy of teenage mothers to school in Bungoma County. The critical
theory as modified by Habernes was used as the theoretical framework. The convergent
parallel mixed method research design was used. The research population comprised of
teenage mothers, student girls, head teachers, principals, Guiding and Counselling
teachers, Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers. The data collection
instruments were Questionnaires and Interview schedules. Questionnaires were
administered to the Teenage mothers, school girls, Guidance and counselling teachers,
while the interview schedule was administered to Sub County Quality Assurance and
Standards Officers and head teachers. Pilot study was carried out in Trans Nzoia County.
Reliability of the research instruments was tested using Spearman Rank Order correlation
coefficient. A value of 0.79 was obtained and was considered high enough for the
instruments to be judged to be reliable. Validity was determined by expert judgment in
the School of Education in the University of Eldoret. Quantitative data were coded and
presented using tables and analyzed through frequency distribution and percentages.
Qualitative data were organized and broken into themes synthesized to search for patterns
and meaning. This study was significant for it shed light on the level of awareness among
various stakeholders of the re-entry policy of teenage mothers to school, the perception of
the various stakeholders on the re-entry policy, identified aspects of culture that affected
the implementation of the re-entry policy and the implementation strategies that are in
place to implement the policy. The various stakeholders have a negative perception and
attitude towards the teenage mother. Its recommended that there should be a national
debate on teenage motherhood to increase awareness of the policy and address the issue
of perception and the change in attitude towards the teenage mothers.
