Teachers Perceptions of the Influence of Male Circumcision on academic performance of the Boy Child in Baringo County, Kenya.

Abstract

This paper investigated teachers’ perceptions of the influence of male circumcision on academic performance of the boy child in Baringo County, Kenya. Circumcision is considered an important rite of passage among the Tugen people residing in the County. Every year during the December holidays, all male boys undergo the traditional rite. The influence of this rite on academic performance of the boy child has not been investigated yet from anecdotal evidence, it has been known to affect class attendance and discipline of the boy child and in some cases leads to drop out as the initiates are considered adults who may marry and start families. Teachers are important stakeholders who hold key information on the influence of this rite of passage on the academic performance of the boy child and it was considered necessary to obtain their views. This was done by means of a self administered questionnaire. The target population was the teachers from Baringo County who attend part- time holiday tuition at a local university. 10 teachers were sampled. Frequencies and percentages were obtained. Results indicated that pupils academic performance and discipline was affected by the circumcision ceremonies. However, teachers did not support the view that pupils should drop out of school to get married nor should they be given special treatments because of their new status.