LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE OF GIRL-CHILD ACCESS TO SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION IN BUNGOMA COUNTY: ACASE OF MOUNT ELGON DISTRICT, KENYA

The purpose of this study was to establish environmental influence ofgirl-child access to secondary school education in Mount Elgon District. Despite impressive development towards achieving gender parity on access to education, enrolment statistics in Mount Elgon District at secondary school level reveals a worrying experience due to unknown environmental factors. The objective of the study included: determine influence of community factors on girl-child enrolment, establish the influence of home environment on girl-child school attendance, Identify influence of school enrolment on girl-child access to secondary school and establish the influence of family factors on girl-child access to secondary schools in Mt. Elgon District Bungoma County. The researcher applied gender Schema theory bySandra Bern theory of 1981 that explains how as a cognitive theory to explain how individuals become gendered in society, and how sex-linked characteristics are maintained and transmitted to other members of a culture. The researcher employed descriptive design which involved gathering facts by obtaining precise information on the current status of phenomenon and drew conclusions from the facts. The target was 1611 on principals teachers and head girls from 31 schools. Simple random sampling and purposive population sampling techniques were applied on a sample of 102 respondents. The researcher administered the questionnaires and interview schedules in collection of the data. The findings were that parents prefer educating girls than boys though girls admire doing to schools, that the girls have no problem with the school environment and teachers and parental support and commitment was lacking towards girls education. The study concluded that the girl child loves education and would wish to continue with education to high level but is affected negatively with the family factors. The descriptive statistics were used to summarize the whole study and the interpretation accompanied. The study recommended that parents were to stop discrimination against the girl-child and sensitization of parents to take place on the importance of education to girl-child education .through the government policies on girl child education.