Barriers to accessibility of primary education among Nomadic Barbaig children in Hanang District

This study ain1ed at investigating barriers to accessibility of primary education among Non1adic Barbaig Children in Hanang District. It specifically sought to identify problems facing Barbaig children in accessing primary education; assess the attitudes of the non1adic Barbaig con1munity towards formal education; and find out factors associated with primary school enrolment for Barbaig children in Hanang District. The study was inainly qualitative. Respondents identified n1any problen1s which limited Barbaig children in primary education. One of those problems was corruption. As far as corruption is concerned, parents bribed teachers, WEOs and VEOs to stop enrolling their children in primary schools and following truants up. Heads of school cancelled and sold names of truants and drop outs. Other problems identified were negative perception on formal education, lack of self n1otivation, unreadiness in accepting formal education, lack of parents' c01nn1itment in paying for educational needs of their children; Unnecessary financial and material contributions; severe punishments in schools as well as beliefs in witchcraft. It was revealed that nomadic Barbaig comm members perceived formal education negatively. They perceived it negati vely because formal education eroded their traditions, customs, beliefs , nom1s and values from one generation to another. They valued circumcision, early marriages, owning of cattle and age-set system. Traditional norms, values and beliefs caused Barbaig children to drop out of prin1ary school. Other factors which limited accessibility of primary schools among Barbaigs were school administration, gender disparities, long walking distance to and from school as well as high opportunity costs of children's educational needs. Because of the magnitude of the problem, development stake holders should participate in providing interventions to alleviate the problem using various approaches and measures.