An Inquiry into Impediments of Education for All with Focus Orphaned Learners in Kiganjo Zone in Kenya

Abstract

Occurrence of orphans has been in every society since time immemorial. In some societies, they have been treated like outcasts while others they have been treated well. In Kiganjo zone, Gatundu South District –Kenya there are orphans learners. Their parents may have died through diseases like HIV/AIDS, cancer, accidents through ethnic animosity or war, leaves them improperly attended in many areas including education matters. Mostly these orphans are left at the care of their grandparents who are old and sometimes poor. These learners need proper care, education and guidance and counseling. This should be in line with children’s Act 2001which identifies the rights to education value, assurance of shelter and allowance to participate fully in the society. In January 2003 education was declared free in primary schools and affordable secondary education in January 2008 by the government of Kenya. However, to the best of my knowledge no research have been conducted to find out the number of orphan learners umber of teachers trained in guidance and counseling, number of teachers trained in special needs education, behavioural changes in orphan learners, economic wellbeing of orphan learners, general educational performances of orphan learners and attitudes of learners and teachers towards orphan learners in Kiganjo zone.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n1p167