Policy Interventions and Educational Viability: Evaluating Government Support for Alternative Approaches to Basic Education in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to find out the extent to which government policy supports the viability of the AABE programme in Samburu County. AABE was introduced by the Kenya Government, religious entities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with the aim of promoting access to basic education and enhancing Universal Primary Education for all (UPE). However, school enrolment and literacy levels in Samburu have been low, at (44%) and (12%) respectively, raising the need to examine the success of AABE in meeting the envisaged purpose. The study tested the hypotheses, namely, government policy, in Samburu County. The study applied a survey research design and collected data from both primary and secondary sources. Three structured questionnaires were used for 400 learners' household heads and 56 teachers in charge of the 56 AABE Centres and 10 AABE providers. Secondary data were obtained from the Ministry of Education offices, AABE Centres, libraries and the internet. A stratified random sampling technique was used to sample the 400 respondents. Data was presented using frequency tabulations, chi-square, multiple regressions and correlation analyses. The findings were as follows: (69.1%) of the respondents stated that it was lacking, and the coefficients of chi-square and correlation were 0.84 and +.8245, respectively. The respondents gave suggestions that the government be committed to the formulation and implementation of policies that promote development interventions geared towards improving the welfare of marginalised groups like nomadic pastoralists. The study recommended that more studies be done on the viability of AABE in other nomadic pastoral areas and encompass other variables.