Expansion and Growth: Tracing the Development of Alternative Approaches to Basic Education Programs since Inception in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study established the growth and expansion of the AABE programme since its inception 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 one hypothesis, namely, the growth expansion of AABE 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: AABE was only able to achieve a growth rate of (28.8%) over the last 21 years it had been in existence in Samburu. The respondents gave suggestions for enhancing AABE success and proposed that the AABE system be integrated with formal education (FE) by making FE more responsive to the needs of nomadic pastoralism. In that instance, AABE Centres to be increased and be mobile.