Environmental Drivers of School Attendance in Dry Conflict-Prone Areas

This book explores environmental, socio-economic and cultural factors which influence primary school attendance in dry conflict prone areas of Kenya. It also examines the role played by role models in school attendance. This is based on the belief that school attendance and education is largely the only viable and sustainable livelihood and development option in the dry and conflict prone regions of Kenya and globally. The threats to school attendance in the dry conflict prone areas are numinous and include aridity hence subsequent food insecurity, physical thermal stress, resource based conflicts, cattle rustling-related insecurity, long distance to school, few facilities and teachers and few role models. This is worsened by counterproductive cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriage. Despite these threats, pupils still attend school and complete their primary education. The central question then is: what motivates pupils to continue their academic pursued despite the apparent threats? The knowledge of motivation for school attendance is critical and will inform policy which will enhance education attainment and socio-economic development.