Educational gap in Western is caused by culture
The huge educational gap between girls and boys in some parts of the country are fast becoming an issue of major concern especially as it relates to girl child education in Bungoma County.
The girl child participation in all levels of education has become a real concern in all globally particularly in the developing countries Kenya included.
Girl child education worldwide provides benefits to the family and the society at large thus factors affecting it should be addressed for the sake of human and societal development.
The county executive committee member for education, sports and gender Beryl Mutekhele said in some parts of county, there is low girls’ participation in primary school education compared to the boys thus the interest in establishing the factors that may be contributing to this problem addressed by all the stake holders in education fraternity.
She added that when it comes to education, some parents are very primitive when it comes to choosing what is right for their children.
With all the civilization in the world, some parents still prevent their female children from going to accessing education in this county.
She pointed an alarming finger to some communities traditional belief that once a girl has her first monthly flow in her father’s house, the second one should be in her husband’s home.
She said. “Some families in our county are still in the past, where education has not necessarily been a priority for the girl-child because of the cultural beliefs, poverty and so on. It’s not surprising because particularly in Mt. Elgon region, educating the girl-child isn’t part of the culture, so many girls are not encouraged to go to school.”
The education CEC said the county government has in recent years embarked on giving out sanitary towels to girls schools in the area to ensure that girl pupils do not fail to attend schools during the time of menses.
She added that the county government has also begun school feeding programme in some public primary schools in the area so as to retain children in school. Education for the girl child has thus been an issue of concern across the cipher.
She said that in recent times, there have been very many groups and organizations that champion women‘s rights and seek to empower women in Kenya though some use it to benefit themselves.
The assurance that women and men have equal access to decision making, posts and power and above all, the recognition that the needs and interests of women are political priorities is valid for all.
She affirms that under many African cultures, the girl child is considered as a―lesser child when compared to the boy child.
“Women usually ululate only once to a great arrival of the girl child while they will Welcome a boy with two ululations.” She added.
She says the culture of circumcising boys and girls has contributed a lot to the fall of the girl child education in most of the communities across the country.
She lamented, “the mosaic of circumcising girls and boys then telling them you are a man or a woman is killing their dream.”
St. Patrick’s girl principal Ebby Wafula said the habit of many parents preferring to pay school fees for their sons and leaving their daughters should stop.
“For those few families that are able to pay education costs, there is a widespread cultural preference for educating sons first. This stems from the tradition that some communities girls leave their parents’ village and become a member of the husband’s family upon marriage.” Mrs. Wafula sounded heavily.
Mrs. Wafula says among all the children, often the girl child is denied education in preference to the boy child.
According to her it is assumed that investing in boys ensures the continuation of the family line. Generally, therefore, many African societies undervalue the girl child. The girl is placed at the bottom of the family ladder.
Ebby says among many communities fathers tend, to believe that their family will not benefit from investing in their daughter’s education.
Early marriage is the most often cited reason that has led to girls drop out of school. In some communities girls and boys are taught that circumcision is a rite of passage into womanhood or manhood that accompanies puberty and an immediate precursor to marriage.
Ebby said that even for those who make it to school, the long walks undermine education.
Not surprisingly, teachers report that children who have spent two to five hours walking to school in the morning, often without having had anything to eat, are tired, and their ability to concentrate is impaired.
She said it is often late when children arrive home after such long walks, and they are still required to do chores. Even if they still have the desire and energy to study after they are finished with their responsibilities at home, it is dark and there is no electricity or artificial light.
Madam Ebby also lamented on the parenting among the Kenyan community has led to that struggle of the girl child in acquiring better education.
“The way we brought up our children has severely put the negative notion of girls’ mind towards her position in the family. In African society if a boy messes up he is told you are a man you should behave while a girl is told your husband will beat you up creating a mind that the girl grows knowing she should get married and be beaten up.” She opened up.
The principal said the socio-cultural factors result to early marriages, male preference in family, community initiation into adulthood, negative attitudes of girls in education, cultural practices and feeling of being adults which do affect participation of girl child in secondary education.
She also said the Parents’ level of education is a contributing factor that has affected girl child participation in secondary education because it can promote or lower their participation in education.
Bungoma KUPPET treasury and gender led by Rebecca Masibayi said that lack of sensitization among the communities citing what happened at Mt. Elgon after over twenty students were pregnant saying it is permitivity among the community.
They urged the leader and the government to team up and arrest the situation before the vice diffuses to other schools across the county.
“Some parents think that rather than sending a girl to school, it is better to send a male child because there are greater chances of him becoming a medical doctor, an engineer, a pilot, a banker etc.” they said.
They urged that while household skills are important, they should not remain a monopoly of women. Education and training should equally prepare both boys and girls for participating in the economy beyond the household.
Despite the FPE (Free Primary School)and FDSE (Free Day Secondary Education) the government, the attainment of gender equity and equality in basic education is being hampered by the lack of clear policy measures to address gender in education concerns thereby mainstreaming gender in education.
However, they said a sizable number of children, especially girls, still find themselves out of school making access to education remain a wide dream to many girls.
