INFLUENCE OF BODABODA OPERATIONS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH PERCEPTION TOWARDS EDUCATION IN KIBWEZI SUB COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Behavior is highly influenced by perception and therefore, exposing children and youth to different environments influences the way they form perceptions and consequently shape the way they relate with the environment and how the environment shapes them. Following the increased national and regional outcry on school dropout rates related with bodaboda operations, the researcher aimed at exploring the perceptions that school children and youth have that could be influencing their choice to engage in bodaboda rather than continue with education. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of bodaboda operations on the perception of children and youth towards their need for education in Kibwezi Sub County. A combination of stratified random sampling and purposive sampling was used to obtain the sample size and respondents. The sample size used in the study was 760 respondents who were 1% of the target population which was obtained by stratified random sampling of the total population. The researcher used interviews and focus group discussions to collect data from children and youths in primary, secondary and tertiary level institutions. Bodaboda operators also formed part of the respondents. Questionnaires were also used to collect data from all respondents to determine the different perceptions held by different respondents on badaboda operations in relation to education of children and youth. Exploratory research design was used to discover new ideas and opinions from the respondents. Qualitative methods of data analysis were used to obtain meaning for the data collected. The methods of data analysis included use of a narrative to explain trends and relationships as well as use of a Likert type scale to obtain variations in responses of different respondents. The research was informed by the critical social theory of youth empowerment and the transactional partnering model where arguments concerning the environment of the child and youth and how it affects their perception were based. It was also informed by the theory of reasoned action and planned behavior. The perception that children and youth have affects their critical thinking as well as their reflection on what to prioritize for their own individual empowerment as well as that of the community. The research findings indicate that the perception that children and youth have in their choice to have education or engage in bodaboda are shaped by factors such as their family economic background, peer pressure and sometimes school factors such high pressure from parents and teachers to have children and youth produce good grades in examinations. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the government adopts a rights based approach to education where development projects aim at empowering parents to provide children rights as a whole rather than just release money for school tuition of children who are hungry and without clothing.