EFFECTS OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON MALE STUDENTS’ RETENTION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MBOONI WEST SUB-COUNTY, MAKUENI COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of Study: This study investigated the effects of cultural practices on male student retention, guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1943).
Problem Statement: In Mbooni West Sub-County, male student retention in public secondary schools remains a concern despite the government's provision of Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE).
Methodology: A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data was collected through questionnaires and interview schedules. Validity was ensured through expert judgment. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, employing descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies, and percentages, as well as inferential statistics including Pearson Product-Moment Correlation. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed thematically based on the study’s objectives and presented in narrative form.
Result: Cultural practices significantly influence male student retention. Many male students are expected to perform household chores, leading to stress and eventual school dropout. While most students and parents identified cultural expectations as barriers to education, some respondents did not strongly link them to dropout rates. As all participants were male and directly affected, the study highlights the need for schools and communities to better understand and address the challenges boys face both at home and in school.
Recommendation: There is need for implementation of male-focused support programs, regular parent-teacher meetings to identify at-risk students, and greater teacher engagement with students’ backgrounds. The government should also enforce policies addressing harmful cultural practices, and the Ministry of Health should promote family planning awareness to help parents manage resources and support their children’s education.
Keywords: Secondary education, Mbooni West Sub-County, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
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