Influence of Khat Farming on Learners Attendance in Primary and Secondary Schools in Kangeta Sub-Location

Abstract

Miraa farming has been perceived as one of the causes of indiscipline among pupils in schools. Despite the efforts of Free Primary Education (FPE), many children may still be out of school by 2017 partly due school location, cheap child labour and drug addiction. The influence of Khat production, trade and chewing has not been fully researched specifically if it contributes to primary and secondary school pupils' dropout in Kangeta Sub-location. It is on this basis that this study sought to find out how Khat farming has influenced learner's attendance in primary and secondary schools in Kangeta Sub-location. The findings revealed that children as young as 10 years had already started chewing Khat. This shows that the boys are the ones who are mostly involved in Khat farming and consumption. They end up dropping from schools and do not succeed to get the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. The absence of female students involved in Khat business emanated from cultural tendencies where females are not expected to climb up trees according to the Meru culture. However, the community members felt that they are left out in this exercise. This showed that there is no proper coordination on planning for the interventions and strategies to deal with Khat farming and school dropout in Kangeta sub-location. Based on the findings, the paper concluded that Khat farming is a major issue that causes school dropouts in Kangeta. The implication is that the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education should come up with requisite policies and intervention measures to curb drop out in Kangeta sub-location and should also involve the community while doing so. All school children should be made to attend school to make use of the Free Primary Education funds provided by the government as school fees.