The Educational Needs of Displaced High School Students: The Case of Olposimoru Forest Evictees in Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change is a worldwide debate affecting humanity. The Kenyan government is evicting people who have encroached on forests, thereby leading to internal displacement. The condition of displacement affects governments’ ability and willingness to provide basic protection and services such as education. The study sought to investigate the schooling experiences of displaced high school students, with a case of the Olposimoru forest evictees. Based on a current study carried out, this paper discusses the findings on the educational needs of displaced high school students. The target group for this study was displaced high school day-scholar students. Hermeneutics phenomenology theory guided this research. The research was carried out in Olposimoru District of Narok County. Displaced students were the key participants in this research, while class teachers and head teachers were the key informants. The snowballing technique was used to select the students for study, while class teachers were sampled using a simple random sampling technique. The study was conducted using a descriptive case of Olposimoru forest evictees. Five schools were selected through purposive sampling. The researcher used questionnaires and oral interviews to collect data. The raw data from the students’ responses was organized, coded, and keyed on the SPSS program. The study found that displaced students have varied educational needs in addition to their normal adolescent growth and development challenges. They mostly need psychological motivation and support. They also need money to pay school fees. Students also have other material and sociological needs, such as teaching and learning materials, housing, and a sense of family.