ASSESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE CHILD FRIENDLY SCHOOLS’ PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TURKANA COUNTY

Abstract

This study presents the objectives of the child friendly schools’ programme been achieved as intended in public primary schools in Turkana County. Despite its implementation, no conclusive study had previously determined whether or not the programme's intended impact on critical stakeholders were achieved. Qualitative data were collected through grounded theory, while quantitative data were gathered using an ex post facto causal-comparative design. The outcomes of the evaluation was guided by the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) model. The target population included 1096 participants drawn from public primary schools across Turkana County. Sampling followed both probability and non-probability techniques, including stratified, cluster and purposive methods, with the sample size determined using the n=30 Rule of Thumb guideline. Data collection instruments included structured questionnaires, in-depth interview guides, observation guides and document analysis guides. Validity was assessed using the content validity index (CVI), while reliability was established via the test-retest method. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, means, modes, standard deviations and graphical representations were used to present the findings along inferential statistics, including Chi-square tests (X²) and analysis of variance (ANOVA), to analyze the data and test hypotheses. The conclusion of this study was structured in a systematic manner, closely following the logical progression of the evaluation questions outlined in the research. Initially, the study examined the extent to which the evaluation questions of the Child Friendly Schools (CFS) were achieved in public primary schools in Turkana County. This evaluation focused on determining whether or not the Programme met its key goals, such as promoting gender equality, social inclusion, participatory learning and health awareness. The findings showed that while most objectives were largely achieved, challenges such as resource limitations in the region hindered the full realization of some goals. The findings of this study led to the conclusion that the pilot phase of the CFS in Turkana County the Child Friendly Schools (CFSP) Programme largely achieved its objectives. Most of the CFSP objectives were grounded in key principles such as gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), participatory learning, health awareness, collective safety in schools and gender responsiveness. These core values were successfully integrated and all six objectives of the CFS were met to a significant extent based on the findings and conclusions of this study, several recommendations were made. These recommendations were specifically designed to address key stakeholders in the Child Friendly Schools programme. Their aim was to inform policy and decision-making processes regarding the implementation of the CFS in public primary schools in Turkana County with the goal of improving its effectiveness in order to help achieve its objectives, extent of CFS implementation, avail enough resources for implementation, delineate all factors that promoted its implementation, had a school environment that encouraged positive values in teaching and learning.