Community and Stakeholder Perceptions: Understanding the Views of Parents, Learners, and the Community on Alternative Approaches to Basic Education in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the perception of the community, parents and learners on AABE. AABE was introduced by the Kenya Government, religious entities and non-governmental organizations (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 hypotheses, namely, perception, 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 showed that perception about AABE rated first as affecting viability of AABE in Samburu County with (92.5%) regarding it as inferior to formal education. Chi-square results showed a strong coefficient of 0.88 and with regression coefficient of -.64. It was the most highly correlated with a coefficient of+.8517. The respondents gave suggestions for enhancing AABE success and proposed that AABE system be done with or integrated with formal education (FE) by making FE more responsive to the needs of nomadic pastoralism.